University  of  California  •  Berkeley 


t£i 


THE  LIBRARY 

OF 

THE  UNIVERSITY 
OF  CALIFORNIA 


PRESENTED  BY 

PROF.  CHARLES  A.  KOFOID  AND 
MRS.  PRUDENCE  W.  KOFOID 


"15525 


• 


Luwrary 
Kofbid 


A  N 

HISTORY 


OF      THE 


EARTH, 


AND 


ANIMATED     NATURE. 


BY  OLIVER  GOLDSMITH, 


IN  FOUR  VOLUMES. 


VOL.    II. 


PHILADELPHIA: 
PRINTED  FOR  MATHEW  CARET, 

NO.  Il8,  MARKET-STREET. 

/7<hTf 

AUGUST  J,  M,DCC,SGV, 


Ma 


AN 


HISTORY 


O  F 


ANIMALS. 


CHAP.      I. 

Of  Ruminating  Animals. 

OF  all  animals,  thofe  that  chew  the  cud  are  the  moil  harm- 
lefs,  and  the  moft  eafily  tamed.  As  they  live  entirely  upon 
vegetables,  it  is  neither  their  intereil  nor  chcir  pleafure  to  make 
war  upon  the  reft  of  the  brute  creation  ,  content  with  the  paf- 
tures  where  they  are  placed,  they  feldom  defire  to  change, 
while  they  are  furnished  with  a  proper  fupply;  and  fearing  no- 
thing from  each  other,  they  generally  go  in  herds  for  their  ma* 
tual  fecurity.  AH  the  iierceft  of  the  carnivorous  kinds  feck 
their  food  in  gloomy  folitude  ;  thefe,  on  the  contrary,  range 
together  5  the  very  meaner!  of  them  are  found  to  unite  in  each 
other's  defence,  and  the  hare  itfelf  is  a  gregarious  animal,  in 
thofe  countries  where  ir  has  no  other  enemies  but  the  beafts 
of  the  foreil  to  guard  againit. 

As  the  food  of  ruminant  animals  is  entirely  of  the  vegetable 
kind,  and  as  this  is  very  eafily  procured,  fo  thefe  animals  feem 
naturally  more  indolent  and  lefs  artful  than  thofe  of  the  car- 
nivorous kinds  ;  and  as  their  appetites  are  more  fmipie,  their 
mitincts  feem  to  be  lefs  capable  of  variation.  The  fox  or  the 
volf  are  for  ever  prowling  ;  their  long  habits  of  want  give  therr» 
a  degree  of  marpncfs  and  cunning ;  their  life  is  a  continued 
fcene  of  ftratagem  and  efcape  :  but  the  patient  ox,  or  the  deer, 
enjoy  the  repaft  that  nature  has  abundantly  provided^  certain 
of  fubfiftence,  an4  content  with  fecurity. 


4  ANHISTORYOF 

As  nature  has  furnifhed  thefe  animals  with  an  appetite  for 
fuch  coarfe  and  fimple  nutriment,  fo  fhe  has  enlarged  the  capa- 
€ity  of  the  inteftines,  to  take  in  a  greater  fupply.  In  the  car- 
nivorous kinds,  as  their  food  is  nourishing  and  juicy,  their  fto- 
machs  are  but  fmall,  and  their  inteftines  fhort ;  but  in  thefe, 
whofe  pafture  is  coarfe,  and  where  much  muft  be  accumulated 
before  any  quantity  of  nourimment  can  be  obtained,  their  fto- 
machs  are  large  and  numerous,  and  their  inteftines  long  and 
mufcular.  The  bowels  of  a  ruminating  animal  may  be  con- 
fidered  as  an  elaboratory,  with  veflels  in  it  fitted  for  various 
tranfinutations.  It  requires  a  long  and  tedious  procefs  before 
grafs  can  be  tranfmuted  into  flefh  ;  and  for  this  purpofe,  nature, 
in  general,  has  furnifhed  fuch  animals  as  feed  upon  grafs,  witK 
four  ftomachs,  through  which  the  food  fucceflively  pafles,  and 
undergoes  the  proper  reparations. 

Of  the  four  ftomachs  with  which  ruminant  animals  are 
furniftied,  the  firft  is  called  the  paunch,  which  receives  the 
food  after  it  has  been  flightly  chewed  ;  the  fecond  is  calle4 
the  honeycomb,  and  is  properly  nothing  more  than  a  conti- 
nuation of  the  former  ;  thefe  two,  which  are  very  capacious, 
the  animal  fills  as  faft  as  it  can,  and  then  lies  down  to  rumi- 
nate, which  may  be  properly  confidered  as  a  kind  of  vomiting 
without  effort  or  pain.  The  two  ftomachs  above-mentioned  be- 
ing filled  with  as  much  as  they  can  contain,  and  the  grafs 
which  was  ilightly  chewed,  beginning  to  fwell  with  the  heat  of 
fituation,  it  dilates  the  ftomachs,  and  thefe  again  contract 
upon  their  contents.  The  aliment,  thus  fqueezed,  has  but 
two  paflages  to  efcape  at ;  one  into  the  third  ftomach,  which 
is  very  narrow ;  and  the  other  back,  by  the  gullet,  into  the 
mouth,  which  is  wider.  The  greateft  quantity,  therefore,  is 
driven  back  through  the  largeft  aperture  into  the  mouth,  to  be 
chewed  a  fecond  time  ;  while  a  fmall  part,  and  that  only  the 
moft  liquid,  is  driven  into  the  third  ftomach,  through  the  ori- 
fice which  is  fo  fmall.  The  food  which  is  driven  to  the  mouth, 
and  chewed  a  fecond  time,  is  thus  rendered  more  foft  and 
moift,  and  becomes  at  laft  liquid  enough  to  pafs  into  the  con- 
duit that  goes  to  the  third  ftomach,  where  it  undergoes  a  dill 


RUMINATING     ANIMALS.  5 

farther  comminution.  In  this  ftomach,  which  is  called  the 
.  fold,  from  the  number  of  its  leaves,  all  which  tend  to 
promote  digeftion,  the  grafs  has  the  appearance  of  boiled  fpin- 
age,  but  not  yet  fufficiently  reduced,  fo  as  to  make  a  part  of 
the  animal's  nourishment :  it  requires  the  operation  of  the 
fourth  ftomach  for  this  purpofe,  where  it  undergoes  a  com- 
plete maceration,  and  is  feparated  to  be  turned  into  chyle. 

But  nature  has  not  been  lefs  careful  in  another  refpe£r,  in 
fitting  the  inteftines  of  thefe  animals  for  their  food.  In  the 
carnivorous  kinds,  they  are  thin  and  lean  ;  but,  in  ruminating 
animals,  they  are  ftrong,  flemy,  and  well  covered  with  fat. 
Every  precaution  feems  taken  that  can  help  their  digeftion : 
their  ftomach  is  ftrong  and  mufcular,  the  more  readily  to  acT: 
upon  its  contents ;  their  inteftines  are  lined  with  fat,  the  bet- 
ter to  preferve  their  warmth  5  and  they  are  extended  to  a. 
much  greater  length,  fo  as  to  extract  every  part  of  that  nou- 
rimment  which  their  vegetable  food  fo  fcantily  fupplies. 

In  this  manner  are  all  quadrupeds  of  the  cow,  the  fheep, 
or  the  deer  kind,  feen  to  ruminate  ;  being  thus  furnimed  with 
four  ftomachs,  for  the  macerating  of  their  food.  Thefe,  there- 
fore, may  moft  properly  be  called  the  ruminant  kinds  ;  al- 
though there  are  many  others  that  have  this  quality  in  a  lefs 
obfervable  degree.  The  rhinoceros,  the  camel,  the  horfe,  the 
rabbit,  the  marmotte,  and  the  fquirrel,  311  chew  the  cud  by 
intervals,  although  they  are  not  furnifhed  with  ftomachs  like 
the  former.  But  not  thefe  alone,  there  are  numberlefs  other 
animals  that  appear  to  ruminate  ;  not  only  birds,  but  fifties, 
and  infects.  Amongft  birds  are  the  pelican,  the  ftork,  the  he- 
ron, the  pigeon,  and  the  turtle  ;  thefe  have  a  power  of  dif- 
gorging  their  food  to  feed  their  young.  Among  fifties  arelob- 
fters,  crabs,  and  that  fifh  called  the  dorado.  The  falmon  alfo 
is  faid  to  be  of  this  number :  and,  if  we  may  believe  Ovid, 
the  fcarus  like  wife  ;  of  which  he  fays  :* 

Of  all  the  fifli  that  graze  beneath  the  Hood, 
He  only  ruminates  his  former  food. 

*  At  contro  herbofa  pifces  laxantnr  arena, 
Ut  fcarus  epalfos/w'tfj  qui  rurainat  cfcas. 


ft  A  N    H  I  S  T  O  R  Y,     &c. 

Of  infers,  the  ruminating  tribe  is  Rill  larger ;  the  mole,, 
the  cricket,  the  wafp,  the  drone,  the  bee,  the  graihopper,  aad 
the  beetle.  Ail  thcfe  animals  either  actually  chew  the  cud, 
or  feem  at  leaft  to  ruminate.  They  have  the  ftomach  ccm- 
pofed  of  mufcular  fibres,  by  means  whereof  the  food  is  ground 
up  and  down,  in  the  fame  manner  as  in  thofe  which  are  parti- 
cularly diilinguifhed  by  the  appellation  of  ruminants. 

But  not  tliefe  alcne;  men  themfelves  have  been  often  known 
to  ruminate,  and  feme  even  with  pleafure.  The  accounts  of 
thefe  calamities,  for  fuch  I  muit  ccnf;r.cr  them,  incident  to 
our  fellow-creature?,  are  not  verv  -.  to  read  ;  yet  I 

muft  tranfcribc  a  fliort  one,  as  given  u^  by  iSlare,  iii  the  phi- 
lofophical  tranfii&ions,  as  it  may,  in  feme  meafure,  {how  the 
fatisfa£Hon  which  the  lower  tribes  of  animals  enjoy,  while 
they  ruminate.  The  man  in  queftion  was  a  citizen  of  Briftol, 
of  about  twenty  years  of  age,  and,  what  feemed  more  extra- 
ordinary ftill,  of  a  ruminating  family,  for  his  father  was  fre- 
quently fubject  to  the  fame  infirmity,  or  amufement,  as  he 
liimfelf  perhaps  would  call  it.  This  young  man  ufually  began 
to  chew  his  meat  ever  again  within  about  a  quarter  of  an  hour 
after  eating.  His  ruminating  after  a  full  meal,  generally  la  fl- 
ed about  an  hour  and  a  half ;  ncr  could  he  fieep  until  this  tafk 
was  performed.  The  victuals,  upon  the  return,  rafted  even 
mc*e  pleafantly  than  at  firit  j  and  returned  as  if  they  had  been 
beaten  up  in  a  mortar.  If  he  ate  a  variety  of  things,  that 
which  he  ate  fir  ft  came  up  again  fir  ft ;  and  if  this  return  was 
interrupted  for  any  time,  it  produced  ficknefj  arid  diforder, 
snd  he  was  r.ever  well  till  it  returned.  Inftances  of  this  kind, 
,  Lire  rare  and  accidental ;  and  it  is  happy  for  man- 
kind they  are  fo.  Of  all  other  animals,  we  fpend  the  leaft 
time  in  e  Ms  is  one  of  the  great  diftin&ions  between 

us  and  the  brute  creation  •,  and  eating  is  a  pleafure  of  fo  low 
a  kind,  ilr.it  none  but  fuch  as  are  nearly  allied  to  the  quadru- 
•lefire  its  prolongation* 


CHAP.       II. 

Of  %iw.dn<;  C;-u  K. 


OF  all  ruminant  animals,  thofe  of  the  cow  kind  defcrve  the 
firft  rank,  both  for  their  fize,  their  beauty,  and  their  fcr- 
vices.  The  horfe  is  more  properly  an  animal  belonging  to  the 
rich  :  the  fheep  chiefly  thrives  in  a  flack,  and  requires  atten- 
dance ;  but  the  cow  is  more  efpecially  the  poor  man's  pride, 
his  riches,  and  his  fupport.  There  are  many  cf  our  peafantry 
that  have  no  other  pofleffion  but  a  co'.v;  and  even  the  advan- 
tages refulting  from  this  mod  ufeful  creature,  the  poor  arc 
but  the  nominal  poflefibrs.  Its  flefh  they  cannot  pretend  to 
tafte,  fince  then  their  whole  riches  are  at  once  deftroyed  ; 
its  calf  they  are  obliged  to  fatten  for  fale,  fince  veal  is  a  deli- 
cacy they  could  not  make  any  pretenfions  to  ;  its  very  milk  is 
wrought  into  butter  and  cheefe  for  the  tables  of  their  mailers  ; 
while  they  have  no  mare  even  in  their  o\vn  poffeffion,  but  the 
choice  of  their  market.  I  cannot  bear  to  hear  the  rich  crying 
out  for  liberty,  while  they  thus  flarre  their  fellow  creatures, 
and  feed  them  up  with  an  imaginary  good,  while  they  mono- 
polize the  real  benefits  of  nature. 

In  thofe  countries  where  the  men  are  under  fubordination, 
this  excellent  animal  is  of  more  general  advantage.  In  Ger- 
many, Poland,  and  Switzerland,  every  peafant  keeps  two  or 
three  cows,  not  for  the  benefit  of  his  mafter,  but  for  himfelf. 
The  meaneft  of  the  peafants  there  kills  one  cow  at  leafl  for 
his  own  table,  which  he  falts  and  hangs  up,  and  thus  preferves 
as  a  delicacy  all  the  year  round.  There  is  fcarce  a  cottage  in 
thofe  countries  that  is  not  hung  round  with  thefe  marks  of 
hofpitality  •,  and  which  often  makes  the  owner  better  conten- 
ted with  hunger,  fince  he  has  it  in  his  power  to  be  luxurious 
when  he  thinks  proper.  A  piece  of  beef  hung  up  there,  is 
confidered  as  an  elegant  piece  of  furniture,  which,  though 
feldom  touched,  at  leaft  argues  the  pofieflbr's  opulence  and 
eafe,  But  it  is  very  different,  for  fome  years  pad,  in  this  coun- 


«  QJJ  ADRUPEDS  OF  THE 

try,  where  our  lower  ruftics  at  leail  are  utterly  unable  to  pur- 
chafe  meat  any  part  of  the  year  ;  and  by  them  even  butter  is 
confidered  as  an  article  of  extravagance. 

The  climate  and  pafture  of  Great-Britain,  however,  are  ex- 
cellently adapted  to  this  animal's  moderate  nature;  and  the 
verdure  and  fertility  of  our  plains  are  perfectly  fuited  to  th? 
manner  of  its  feeding  ;  for  wanting  the  upper  fore-teeth,  it 
loves  to  graze  in  a  high  rich  pafture.  This  animal  feems  but 
little  regardful  of  the  quality  of  its  food,  provided  it  be  fup~ 
plied  in  fufficient  abundance  ;  it  makes  no  particular  diftinc- 
tion  in  the  choice  of  its  herbage,  but  indifcriminately  and 
haftily  devours  the  proper  quantity.  For  this  reafon,  in  our 
paftures,  where  the  grafs  is  rather  high  than  fucculent,  more 
flouriming  than  nutritious,  the  cow  thrives  admirably  ;  and 
there  is  no  part  of  Europe  where  the  tame  animal  grows  fo 
large,  yields  more  milk,  or  more  readily  fattens,  than  with  us. 

Our  paftures  fupply  them  with  abundance,  and  they,  in  re- 
turn, enrich  the  pafture  ;  for,  of  all  animals,  the  cow  feems 
to  give  back  more  than  it  takes  from  the  foil.  The  horfe  and 
the  iheep  are  known,  in  a  courfe  of  years,  to  impoverifh  the 
ground.  rThe  land  where  they  have  fed  becomes  weedy,  and 
the  vegetables  are  coarfe  and  unpalatable  :  on  the  contrary, 
the  pafture  where  the  cow  has  been  bred,  acquires  a  finer, 
fofter  furface,  and  becomes  every  year  more  beautiful  and 
even.  The  reafon  is,  that  the  horfe,  being  furnifhed  with  fore 
teeth  in  the  upper  jaw,  nips  the  grafs  clofely,  and,  therefore, 
only  choofes  that  which  is  the  moft  delicate  and  tender  ;  the 
iheep  alfo,  though,  with  refpecl:  to  its  teeth,  formed  like  the 
cow,  only  bites  the  moft  fucculent  parts  of  the  herbage  :  thefe 
animals,  therefore,  leave  all  the  high  weeds  ftanding  ;  and 
while  they  cut  the  finer  grafs  too  clofely,  fufFer  the  ranker  her- 
bage to  vegetate  and  over-run  the  pafture.  But  it  is  otherwife 
with  the  cow  ;  as  its  teeth  cannot  come  fo  clofe  to  the  ground 
as  thofe  of  the  horfe,  nor  fo  readily  as  thofe  of  the  fheep, 
which  are  lefs,  it  is  obliged  to  feed  upon  the  talleft  vegeta- 
bles that  offer  ;  thus  it  eats  them  all  down,  and,  in  time,  le- 
vels the  furface  of  the  pafture. 


C  O  W    K  I  N  D.  9 

The  age  of  the  cow  is  known  by  the  teeth  and  horns. 
Tliis  animal  is  furnifhed  with  eight  cutting  teeth  in  the  lower 
jaw ;  at  the  age  of  ten  months,  the  two  middlemoft  of  thefe 
fall  out,  and  are  replaced  by  others,  that  are  not  fo  v/hite.,  but 
broader;,  at  the  age  of  fixtsen  months,  the  two  next  milk- 
white  teeth  fall  out  like  wife,  and  others  come  up  in  their  room  : 
thus,  at  the  end  of  every  fix  months,  the  creature  lofes  and 
gains,  till,  at  the  age  of  thr.ee  years,  all  the  cutting  teeth  are 
renewed,  and  then  they  are  long,  pretty,  white,  and  equal ; 
but  in  proportion  as  the  animal  advances  in  years,  they  become 
irregular  and  black,  their  inequalities  become  fmoother,  and 
the  animal  lefs  capable  of  chewing  its  food.  Thus  the  cow 
often  declines  from  this  fingle  caufe  ;  for,  as  it  is  obliged  to 
eat  a  great  deal  to  fupport  life,  and  as  the  fmoot~?ncfs  of  the 
teeth  makes  the  difficulty  of  chewing  great,  a  fufficient  quan- 
tity of  food  cannot  be  fupplied  to  the  (lomach.  Thus  the  poor 
animal  finks  in  the  midft  of  plenty,  and  every  year  grows 
leaner  and  leaner,  till  it  dies. 

The  horns  are  another,  and  a  furer  method  of  determining 
this  animal's  age.  At  three  years  old,  it  fheds  its  horns,  and 
new  ones  arife  in  their  place,  which  continue  as  long  as  it 
lives  •,  at  four  years  of  age,  the  cow  has  fmall  pointed  neat 
fmooth  horns,  thickeft  near  the  head  ;  at  five  the  honis  become 
larger,  and  are  marked  round  with  the  former  year's  growth. 
Thus,  while  the  animal  continues  to  live,  the  horns  continue 
to  lengthen  ;  and  every  year  a  new  ring  is  added  at  the  root  ; 
fo  that  allowing  three  years  before  their  appearance,  and  then 
reckoning  the  number  of  rings,  we  have,  in  both  together,  the 
animal's  age  exactly. 

As  we  have  indifputably  the  bed  breed  of  horned  cattle  of 
any  in  Europe,  fo  it  was  not  without  the  fame  affiduity  that 
we  came  to  excel  in  thefe,  as  in  our  horfes.  The  breed  of 
cows  has  been  entirely  improved  by  a  foreign  mixture,  pro- 
perly adapted  to  fupply  the  imperfections  of  our  own.  Such 
as  are  purely  Britiih  are  far  inferior  in  fize  to  thofe  on  many 

VOL.  II.  B 


10  QJJADRUPEDS  OF  THE 

parts  of  the  continent  ;  but  thofe  which  we  have  thus  irru 
proved,  by  far  excel  all  others.  Our  Lincolnshire  kind  derive 
their  fize  from  the  Holftein  breed  :  and  the  large  hornlefs  cat- 
tle that  are  bred  in  fome  parts  of  England,  came  originally 
From  Poland.  We  were  once  famous  for  a  wild  breed  of  thefe 
animals,  but  thefe  have  Icng  fince  been  worn  out  ;  and  per- 
haps no  kingdom  in  Europe  can  furnifh  fo  few  wild  animals, 
of  all  kinds,  as  our  own.  Cultivation  and  agriculture  ate  fare 
to  banifh  -thefe,  wherever  they  are  found  ,  and  every  addition 
a  country  receives  from  art,  drives  away  thofe  animals  that 
are  only  fitted  for  a  fcate  of  nature. 

Of  all  quadrupeds,  the  cow  feems  moft  liable  to  alteration 
from  its  pafture.  In  the  different  parts  of  our  own  country,  we 
Cftfilypercewre  the  great  varieties  produced  among  thefe  animals, 
by  the  richnefs  or  poverty  of  the  foil.  In  fome  they  grow  to 
a  great  bulk  -,  and  I  have  feen  an  ox  fixteen  hands  high,  which 
Is  taller  than  the  general  run  of  our  horfes.  In  others,  they 
appear  as  diminutive  ;  being  not  fo  large  as  an  afs.  The  breed 
of  the  Ifle  of  Man,  and  moft  parts  of  Scotland,  is  much  lefs 
in  general  than  in  England  or  Ireland  :  they  are  differently 
flipped  alfo,  the  dewlap  being  much  fmaller,  and,  as  the  ex- 
preiiion  is,  the  beaft  has  more  of  the  ewe  neck.  This,  till  fome 
years  ago,  was  confidered  in  cattle  as  a  deformity  ;  and  the 
cow  was-chofen,  according  to  Virgil's  direction,  with  a  large 
dewlap  :  however,  at  prefent  it  is  the  univerfal  opinion,  that 
the  cow  wants  in  udder  what  it  has  in  neck,  and  the  larger 
the  dewLip,  the  fmaller  is  the  quantity  of  its  milk.  Our  graziers 
now,  therefore,  endeavour  to  mix  the  two  breeds  5  the  large 
Holftein  with  the  fmall  northern  ;  and  from  both  refults  that 
fine  milch  breed,  which  excels  the  cattle  of  any  other  part  of 
the  world. 

This  difference,  arifing  from  pafture,  is  more  obfervable  in 
Other  countries  than  in  our  own.  The  cow  kind  is  to  be  found, 
in  almoft  every  part  of  the  world,  large  in  proportion  to  the 
richnefs  of  the  pafture  ;  and  fmall,  as  the  animal  is  ftinted 
in  its  food.  Thus  Africa  is  remarkable  for  the  largeft  and  the 


C  O  W    K  I  N  D.  11 

fmallefl  cattle  of  this  kind  \  as  is  alfo  India,  Poland,  Switzer- 
land, and  feveral  other  parts  of  Europe*.  Among  the  Eluth  Tar- 
tars, where  the  paftures  are  remarkably  rich  and  nourifhmg,. 
the  cow  becomes  fo  large,  that  he  muft  be  a  tall  man  who  can 
reach  the  tip  of  its  fhoulder.  On  the  contrary,  in  France,, 
where  the  animal  is  (tinted  in  its  food,  and  driven  from  the 
jnoft  flourifhing  paftures,  it  greatly  degenerates. 

But  the  differences  in  the  fize  of  this  animal  are  not  fo  re- 
markable as  thofe  which  are  found  in  its  form,  its  hair,  and 
its  horns.  The  difference  is  fo  very  extraordinary  in  many 
of  them,  that  they  have  been  even  confidered  as  a  different 
kind  of  creature,  and  names  have  been  given  them  as  a  di(tin£t 
fpecies,  when,  in  reality,  they  are  all  the  fame*".  In  this  manner 
the  urus  and  the  bifon  have  been  confidered,  from  the  variety 
in  their  make,  to  be  diilin£r  in  their  production  ;.  but  they 
are  all,  in  fac~t,  the  defcendants  of  one  common  flock,  as  they 
have  that  certain  mark  of  unity,  they  breed  and  propagate 
among  each  other.  Iv  aturalifts  have  therefore  laboured  under, 
an  obvious  error,,  when,  becaufe  of  the  extreme  bulk  of  the- 
urus,  or  becaufe  of  the  hump  upon  the  back  of  the  bifon,  they 
affigned  them  different  places  in  the  creation,  and  feparated 
a  clafs  of  animals  which  was  really  united.  It  is  true,  the 
horfe  and  the  afs  do  not  differ  fo  much  in  form,  as  the  cow 
and  the  bifon  ;  neverthelefs,  the  former  are  diftiruEfc  animals, 
as  their  breed  is  marked  with  flerility  ;,  the  latter  are  animals 
of  the  fame  kind,  as  their  breed  is  fruitful,  and  a  race  of  ani- 
mals is  produced,  in  which  the  hump  belonging  to  the  bifon 
is  foon  worn  away.  The  differences,  therefore,  between  the 
cow,  the  urus,  and  the  bifon,  are  merely  accidental.  The  fame 
caprice  in  nature  that  has  given  horns  to  fome  cows,  and  de- 
nied them  to  others,  may  alfo  have  given  the  bifon  a  hump, 
or  increafed  the  bulk  of  the  urus  ;  it  may  have  given  the  one 
a  mane,  or  denied  a  fufficiency  of  hair  to  the  other. 

But  before  we  proceed  farther,  it  may  be  proper  to  defcribe 
thefe  varieties  which  have  been  thus  taken  for  diftindt  kindsf » 

*  Buflfon,  vol.  xxiii.  p.  78. 
f  This  description  is  chiefly  taken  from  K!ei-«- 


12  QJTADRUPEDS  OF  THE 

The  urus,  or  wild  bull,  is  chiefly  to  be  met  with  in  the  pro- 
vince of  Lithuania  :  and  grows  to  a  fize,  that  fcarce  any  other 
animal,  except  the  elephant,  is  found  to  equal.  It  is  quite 
black,  except  a  ftripe  mixed  with  white,  that  runs  from  the 
neck  to  the  tail,  along  the  top  of  the  back  ;  the  horns  are 
fhort,  thick  and  flrong  ;  the  eyes  are  fierce  and  fiery  ;  the 
forehead  is  adorned  with  a  kind  of  garland  of  black  curled 
hair,  and  fome  of  them  are  fo-und  to  have  beards  of  the  fame  ^ 
ihe  neck  is  fhort  and  ftrong,  and  the  fkin  has  an  odour  of  muik. 
The  female,  though  not  fo  big  as  the  male,  exceeds  the  largeft 
of  our  bulls  in  fize  ;  neverthelefs,  her  udder  and  teats  are  fo. 
fmall,  that  they  can  fcarcely  be  perceived.  Upon  the  whole, 
however,  this  animal  refembles  the  tame  one  very  exactly, 
except  in  fome  trifling  varieties,  which  his  (late  of  wildnefs> 
or  the  richnefs  of  the  paftures  where  he  is  found,  may  eafily 
have  produced. 

The  bifon,  which  is  another  variety  of  the  cow  kind,  differs 
from  the  reft,  in  having  a  lump  between  its  fhoulders.  Thefe 
animals  are  of  various  kinds  •,  fome  very  large,  others  as  dimi- 
nutively little.  In  general.,  to  regard  this  animal's  fore  parts, 
he  has  fomewhat  the  look  of  a  lion,  with  a  long  ihaggy  mane, 
and  a  beard  under  his  chin  j  his  head  is  little,  his  eyes  red 
and  fiery,  with  a  furious  look  ;  the  forehead  is  large,  and  the 
horns  fo  big,  and  fo  far  afunder,  that  three  men  might  often, 
fit  between  them.  On  the  middle  of  the  back,  there  grows  a 
bunch  almoft  as  high  as  that  of  a  camel,  covered  with  hair, 
and  which  is  confidered  as  a  great  delicacy  by  thofe  that  hunt 
him.  There  is  no.  purfuing  him  with  fafcty,  except  in  forcfts 
where  there  are  trees  large  enough  to  hide  the  hunters.  He  is 
generally  taken  by  pit-falls  ;  the  inhabitants  of  thofe  countries 
where  he  is  found  wild,  digging  holes  in  the  ground,  and  co- 
vering them  over  with  boughs  of  trees  and  grafs  j  then  pro- 
voking the  bifon  to  purfue  them,  they  get  on  the  oppofite  fide 
of  the  pit-fall,  while  the  furious  animal,  running  head  fore- 
moft,  falls  into  the  pit  prepared  for  him,  and  is  there  quickly- 
overcome  and  (lain. 

Befides  thefe  real  diftinCUons  in  the  cow  kind,  there  have 


/'latt    III- 


C  O  W     K  I  N  D.  13 

been  many  others  made,  that  appear  to  be  in  name  only.  Thus 
the  bonaf  as,  of  which  naturalifts  have  given  us  long  defcrip- 
tions,  is  fuppofed  by  Klein  and  ButTon  to  be  no  more  than 
another  name  for  the  bifon,  as  the  defcriptions,  given  of  them 
by  the  ancients,  coincide.  The  bubalus  alfo  of  the  ancients, 
which  feme  have  fuppofed  to*  belong  to  the  cow  kind,  Buf- 
fon  places  among  the  lower  chfs  of  ruminant  quadrupeds, 
as  it  moft  refembles  them  in  fize,  ihape,  and  the  figure  of  its 
horns.  Of  all  the  varieties,  therefore,  of  the  cow  kind,  there 
are  but  two  that  are  really  diitmct  ;  namely,  the  cow,  and 
the  buffalo  :  thefe  two  are  feparated  by  nature  ;  they  feem 
to  bear  an  antipathy  to  each  other  ;  they  avoid  each  other, 
and  may  be  confidered  as  much  removed  as  the  horfe  is  from 
the  afs  or  the  zebra.  When,  therefore,  we  have  deicribed 
the  varieties  of  the  cow  kind,  we  iliall  pafs  on  to  the  buffalo, 
which,  being  a  different  animal,  requires  a  feparate  hiftory. 

There  is  fcarce  a  part  of  the  world,  as  was  faid  before,  in 
which  the  cow  is  not  found  in  feme  one  of  its  varieties  ; 
either  large,  like  the  urus,  or  humped  as  the  bifon  ;  with 
flraight  horns,  or  bending,  inverted  backwards,  or  turning^ fide- 
ways  to  the  cheek,  like  thofe  of  the  ram  ;  and,  in  many  coun- 
tries, they  are  found  without  any  horns,  whatfoever.  But  to 
be  more  particular,  beginning  at  the  north,  the  few  kind  which 
fubfift  in  Iceland,  are  without  horns,  although  of  the  fame 
race  originally  with  ours.  The  lize  of  thefe  is  rather  relative 
to  the  goodnefs  of  the  pafture,  than  the  warmth  or  coldnefs 
of  the  climate.  The  Dutch  frequently  bring  great  quantities 
of  lean  cattle  from  Denmark,  which  they  fatten  on  their  own 
rich  grounds.  Thefe  are  in  general  of  a  larger  fize  than  their 
own  natural  breed  ;  and  they  fatten  very  eafily.  The  cattle  of 
the  Ukraine,  where  the  pafture  is  excellent,  become  very  fat, 
and  are  confidered  as  one  of  the  largeft  breeds  of  Europe.  In 
Switzerland,  where  the  mountains  are  covered  with  a  rich 
nouriming  herbage,  which  is  entirely  referved  for  their  kine, 
thefe  animals  grow  to  a  very  large  fize.  On  the  contrary,  in 
France,  where  they  get  no  other  grafs  but  what  is  thought 
unfit  for  horfes,  they  dwindle,  and  grow  lean.  In  fome  parts 


*4  QJJADRUPEDS  OF  THE 

of  Spain,,  the  cow  grows  to  a  good  fize  ;  thoie  wild 
however,  which  they  pride  themielves  fo  much  in  combating, 
are  a  very  mean,  defpicable  little  animal,  and  fomewhat  fhaped 
like  one  of  our  cows,  with  nothing  of  that  peculiar  fternnefs 
of  afpe£t  for  which  our  bulls  are  remarkable.  In  Barbary  and 
the  provinces  of  Africa,  where  the  ground  is  dry,  and  the 
pafturage  ihort,  the  cows  are  of  a  very  fmall  breed,  and  give1 
milk  in  proportion.  On  the  contrary,  in  Ethiopia,  they  are 
of  a  prodigious  bignefs.  The  fame  holds  in  Perfia  and  Tar- 
tary ;  where,  in  fome  places,  they  are  very  fmall,  and  in  others, 
of  an  amazing  ftature.  It  is  thus,  in  almoft  every  part  of  the 
world,  this  animal  is  found  to  correfpond  in  fize  to  the  quan- 
tity of  its  provifion. 

If  we  examine  the  form  of  thefe  animals,  as  they  are  found 
tame,  in  different  regions,  we  mall  find  that  the  breed  of  the 
urus,  or  thofe  without  a  hump,  chiefly  occupies  the  cold 
and  the  temperate  zones,  and  is  not  fo  much  difperfed  to- 
wards the  fouth.  On  the  contrary,  the  breed  of  the  bifon,  or 
the  animal  with  a  hump,  is  found  in  all  the  fouthern  parts  of 
the  world  ;  throughout  the  vaft  continent  of  India  ;  through- 
out Africa,  from  Mount  Atlas  to  the  Cape  of  Good-Hope. 
In  all  thefe  countries,  the  bifon  feems  chiefly  to  prevail ; 
where  they  are  found  to  have  a  fmooth  fofc  hair,  are  very 
nimble  of  foot,  and  in  fome  meafure  fupply  the  want  of  horfes. 
The  bifon  breed  is  alfo  more  expert  and  docile  than  ours  j  ma- 
ny of  them,  when  they  carry  burthens,  bend  their  knees  to 
take  them  up,  or  fet  them  down  :  they  are  treated,  there- 
fore, by  the  natives  of  thofe  countries,  with  a  degree  of  ten- 
dernefs  and  care  equal  to  their  utility;  and  the  refpect  for 
them  in  India  has  degenerated,  even  into  blind  adoration.  But 
it  is  among  the  Hottentots  where  thefe  animals  are  chiefly  ef- 
teemed,  as  being  more  than  commonly  ferviceable.  They  are 
their  fellow  domeflics,  the  companions  of  their  pleafures  and 
fatigues ;  the  cow  is  at  once  the  Hottentot's  protector  and  fer- 
vant,  aflifts  him  in  attending  his  flocks,  and  guarding  them 
againfl  every  invader ;  while  the  fheep  are  grazing,  the  faith- 
ful backely,  as  this  kind  of  cow  is  called,  (lands  or  grazes 
bcfide  them  :  ftill,  however,  attentive  to  the  looks  of  its  maf- 


COW  KIND.  «$ 

ter,  the  backely  flies  round  the  field,  herds  In  the  flieep  that 
are  ftraying,  obliges  them  to  keep  within  proper  limits,  and 
(hews  no  mercy  to  robbers,  or  even  ftrangers  xvho  attempt  to 
plunder.  But  it  is  not  the  plunderers  of  the  flock  alone,  but 
even  the  enemies  of  the  nation,  that  thefe  backelys  are  taught 
to  combat.  Every  army  of  Hottentots  is  furniihed  with  a  pro- 
per herd  of  thefe,  Vvhich  are  let  loofe  againft  the  enen  y, 
when  the  occaGon  is  mod  convenient.  Being  thus  fent  for* 
ward,  they  overturn  all  before  them  j  they  flrike  every  oppo- 
fer  down  with  their  horns,  and  trample  upon  them  with  their 
feet  :  and  thus  often  procure  their  mafters  an  eafy  victory, 
even  before  they  have  attempted  to  ftrike  a  blow.  An  animal 
fo  ferviceable,  it  maybe  fuppofed,  is  not  without  its  reward. 
The  backely  lives  in  the  fame  cottage  with  its  matter,  and, 
by  long  habit,  gains  an  affedion  for  him  ;  and  in  proportion 
as  the  man  approaches  to  the  brute,  fo  the  brute  feems  to  at- 
tain even  to  fome  mare  of  human  fagacity.  The  Hottentot  and 
his  backely  thus  mutually  aflifl  each  other  5  and,  when  the 
latter  happens  to  die,  a  new  one  is  chofen  to  fucceed  him, 
by  a  council  of  the  old  men  of  the  village.  The  new  backely 
is  then  joined  with  one  of  the  veterans  of  his  own  kind,  from 
whom  he  learns  h!s  art,  becomes  focial  and  diligent,  and  is 
taken  for  life,  into  human  friendship  and  protection. 

The  bifons,  or  cows  with  a  hump,  are  found  to  differ  very 
much  from  each  other,  in  the  feveral  parts  of  the  world  where 
they  are  found.  The  wild  ones  of  this  kind,  as  with  us,  are 
much  larger  than  the  tame.  Some  have  horns,  and  fome  are  with 
out  any  ;  fome  have  them  depreffed,  and  fome  raifed  in  fuch  a 
manner  that  they  are  ufed  as  weapons  of  annoyance  or  defence  ; 
fome  are  extremely  large  •,  and  others  among  them,  fuch  as 
the  zebu,  or  Barbary  cow,  are  very  fmall.  They  are  all,  howe- 
cver,  equally  docile  and  gentle  when  tamed ;  and,  in  general, 
furniihed  with  a  fine  luftrous  foft  hair,  more  beautiful  than 
that  of  our  own  breed  ;  their  hump  is  alfo  of  different  fizes, 
in  fome  weighing  from  forty  to  fifty  pounds,  in  others  lefs  ; 
it  is  not,  however,  to  be  confidered  as  a  part  neceffarily  be- 
longing to  the  animal ;  and  probably  it  might  be  cut  away 


1 6  QJJ  ADR  UP  EDS  OF  THE 

without  much  injury  ;  it  refembles  a  griflly  fat ;  and,  as,  I  am 
aflured,  cuts  and  tafles  fomewhat  like  a  drefTed  udder.  The  bi- 
fons  of  Malabar,  Abyflinia,  and  Madagafcar,  are  of  the  great 
kind,  as  the  paftures  there  are  plentiful.  Thofe  of  Arabia  Pe- 
tnea,  and  moft  parfs  of  Africa,  are  fmall,  and  of  the  zebu  or 
little  kind.  In  America,  efpecially  towards  the  north,  the  bi- 
fon  is  well  known.  The  American  bifo",,  however,  is  found 
to  be  rather  lefs  than  that  of  the  ancient  continent;  its  hair 
is  longer  and  thicker,  its  beard  more  remarkable,  and  its  hide 
more  luftrous  and  foft.  There  are  many  of  them  brought  up 
tame  in  Carolina  ;  however,  their  wild  difpofitions  ftill  feem 
to  continue,  .for  they  break  through  all  fences  to  get  into  the 
corn-lielcls,  and  lead  the  whole  tame  herd  after  them,  where- 
ever  they  penetrate.  They  breed  alfo  with  the  tame  kinds 
originally$brought  over  from  Europe;  and  thus  produce  a  race 
peculiar  to  that  country. 

From  all  this,  it  appears*,  that  naturaliils  have  given  vari- 
ous names  to  animals  in  reality  the  fame,  and  only  differing 
in  fome  few  accidental  circumflances.  The  wild  cow  and  the 
tame,  the  animal  belonging  to  Europe,  and  that  of  Afia,  Afri- 
ca, and  America,  the  bonafus  and  the  urus,  the  bifon  and 
die  zebu,  are  all  one  and  the  fame,  propagate  among  each 
other,  and,  in  the  courfe  of  a  few  generations,  the  hump  wears 
away,  and  fcarce  any  veftigcs  of  favage  fiercenefs  are  found 
to  remain.  Of  all  animals,  therefore,  except  man  alone,  the 
cow  feems  moft  extenfively  propagated.  Its  nature  feems 
equally  capable  of  the  rigours  of  heat  and  cold.  It  is  an  inha- 
bitant as  well  of  the  frozen  fields  of  Iceland,  as  the  burning 
defarts  of  Lybia.  It  feems  an  ancient  inmate  in  every  climate, 
domeflic  and  tame  in  thofe  countries  which  have  been  civi- 
lized, favage  and  wild  in  the  countries  which  are  lefs  peopled, 
but  capable  of  being  made  ufeful  in  all :  able  .to  defend  itfelf 
in  a  ilate  of  nature  againft  the  moft  powerful  enemy  of  the  fo- 
refl ;  and  only  fubordinate  to  man,  whofe  force  it  has  experi- 
enced, and  whofe  aid  it  at  lafl  feems  to  require.  However 
wild  the  calves  are,  which  are  taken  from  the  dam  in  a  favage 

*  Buffon,  vol.  xxiii.  p.  150, 


Z t//t/,  r/ -h'ffh . r//fffrn  Crtr. 


ii  iiin  i'ii  i 


COW  KIND.  17 

feate,  either  in  Africa  or  Afia,  they  foon  become  humble,  pa- 
tient, and  familar,  and  man  may  be  confidered,  in  thofe 
countries,  as  almofl  helplefs  without  their  affiftance.  Other 
animals  preferve  their  nature  or  their  form  with  inflexible  per- 
feverance ;  but  thefe,  in  every  refpecl:,  fuit  themfelves  to  the 
appetites  and  conveniences  of  mankind ;  and  as  their  fhapes 
are  found  to  alter,  fo  alfo  does  their  nature  •,  in  no  animal 
is  there  feen  a  greater  variety  of  kinds,  and  in  none  a  more 
humble  and  pliant  difpofition. 


THE     BUFFALO. 

IF  we  fhould  compare  the  fhape  of  our  common  cow  with 
that  of  the  bifon,  the  difference  will  appear  very  great.  The 
ihaggy  mane  of  the  latter,  the  beard,  the  curled  forehead, 
the  inverted  horns,  the  broad  breaft,  and  the  narrow  hinder 
parts,  give  it  the  appearance  rather  of  a  lion  than  a  cow ;  and 
fit  it  more  for  a  (late  of  war  with  mankind,  than  a  ftate  of  fer- 
vitude.  Yet,  notwithftanding  thefe  appearances,  both  ani- 
mals are  found  to  be  the  fame  ;  or  at  leaft  fo  nearly  allied,  that 
they  breed  among  each  other,  and  propagate  a  race  that  con- 
tinues the  kind. 

On  the  other  hand,  if  we  compare  the  buffalo  with  our 
common  cow,  no  two  animals  can  be  more  nearly  alike,  either 
in  their  form,  or  their  nature  j  both  equally  fubmiffive  to  the 
yoke,  both  often  living  under  the  fame  roof,  and  employed  in 
the  fame  domeftic  fervices ;  the  make  and  the  turn  of  their 
bodies  fo  much  alike,  that  it  requires  a  clofe  attention  to  dif- 
tinguifh  them  -,  and  yet,  after  all  this,  no  two  animals  can  be 
more  diftin£t,  or  feem  to  have  ftronger  antipathies  to  each 
other*.  Were  there  but  one  of  each  kind  remaining,  it  is  pro- 
bable the  race  of  both  would  fhortly  be  extinct.  However, 
fuch  is  the  fixed  averfion  formed  between  thefe  creatures,  that 
the  cow  refufes  to  breed  with  the  buffalo,  which  it  nearly  re- 

VOL.  IT.  C 

*   Buflbn, 


i*  QJJAIJRUPEDS  OF  THE 

fembles ;  while  it  is  known  to  propagate  \\  ith  the  bifon,  fry 
which  it  has,  in  point  of  form,  but  a  very  diffant  fimilitude. 

The  buffalo  is,  upon  the  whole,  by  no  means  fo  beautiful 
n.  creature  as  the  cow  ;  his  figure  is  more  clumfy  and  aukward  ^ 
his  air  is  wilder ;  and  he  carries  his  head  lower,  and  nearer 
the  ground  ;  bis  limbs  are  lefs  fiefhy,  and  his  tail  more  naked 
of  hair  •,  his  body  is  fhorter  and  thicker  than  that  of  the  cow 
kind  5  his  legs  are  higher  ;  his  head  fmaller-,  his  horns  not  fo 
round,  black,  and  compreffed,  with  a  bunch  of  curled  hair 
hanging  down  between  them  j  his  fkin  is  alfo  harder  and  thick- 
er, more  black,  and  lefs  furnifaed  with  hair  •,  his  flem,  which: 
is  hard  andblackifh,  is  not  only  difagreeable  to  the  tafte,  but 
likewife  to  the  fmell.  The  milk  of  the  female  is  by  no  means 
fo  good  as  that  of  the  cow ;  it  is,  however,  produced  in  great 
abundance.  In  the  warm  countries,  almofl  all  their  cheefe  is 
made  of  the  milk  of  the  buffalo  ;  and  they  fupply  butter  alfo 
in  large  quantities.  The  veal  of  the  young  buffalo  is  not  better 
eating  than  the  beef  of  the  old.  The  hide  of  this  animal  feems 
to  be  the  moft  valuable  thing  he  furnifhes.  The  leather  made 
of  it  is  well  known  for  its  thicknefs,  foftnefs,  and  impenetra- 
bility. As  thefe  animals  are,  in  general,  larger  and  ftronger 
than  the  cow,  they  are  ufefully  employed  in  agriculture. 
They  are  ufed  in  drawing  burthens,  and  fometimes  in  carry- 
ing them';  being  guided  by  a  ring,  which  is  thruft  through 
their  nofe.  Two  buffaloes  yoked  in  a  waggon  are  faid  to  draw 
more  than  four  horfes ;  as  their  heads  and  necks  are  natural- 
ly bent  downward,  they  are  thus  better  fitted  for  the  draught, 
and  the  whole  weight  of  their  bodies  is  applied  to- the  carriage 
that  is  to  be  drawn  forward. 

From  the  fize  and  bulk  of  the  buffalo,  we  may  be  eafily  led 
to  conclude  that  he  is  a  native  of  the  warmer  climates.  The 
largeft  quadrupeds  are  generally  found  in  the  torrid  zone  » 
and  the  buffalo  is  inferior,  in  point  of  fize,  only  to  the  ele- 
phant, the  rhinoceros,  or  the  hippopotamos.  The  camelo- 
pardj  or  the  camel,  may,  indeed,  be  taller,  but  they  are 
neither  fo  long,  nor  near  fo  corpulent.  Accordingly,  we  find 
this  animal  wild  in  many  parts  of  India  ^  and  tamed  alfo 


C  O  W    K  I  N  D.  j£ 

jvherever  the  natives  have  occafion  for  his  feryices.  The  wild 
buffaloes  are  very  dangerous  animals,  and  are  often  found  to 
gore  travellers  to  death,  and  then  trample  them  with  their 
£eet,  until  they  have  entirely  mangled  the  whole  body  ;  how- 
ever, in  the  woods,  they  are  not  fo  much  to  be  feared,  as  in 
the  plains,  becaufe,  in  the  violence  .of  their  purfuit,  their  large 
horns  are  apt  to  be  entangled  in  the  branches  of  the  trees, 
which  gives  thofe  who  have  been  furprized  by  them,  time  to 
efcape  the  danger.  There  is  fcarce  any  other  method  of  avoid- 
ing their  purfuit ;  they  run  with  great  fwiftnefs  ;  they  over- 
turn a  tree  of  moderate  growth  j  and  are  fuch  fwimmers, 
as  to  crois  the  largeil  rivers  without  any  difficulty.  In  this 
manner,  like  all  other  large  animals  of  the  torrid  zone,  they 
are  very  fond  of  the  water  ;  and,  in  the  midft  of  their  purfuit, 
often  plunge  in,  in  order  to  cool  themfelves.  The  negroes  of 
Guinea,  and  the  Indians  of  Malabar,  where  buffaloes  are  in 
great  abundance,  take  great  delight  in  hunting  and  deftroy- 
ing  them  ;  however,  they  never  attempt  to  face  the  buffalo 
openly,  but,  generally  climbing  up  a  tree",  moot  at  him  from 
thence,  aud  do  not  come  down  till  they  find  they  have  effec- 
tually dtfpatched  him.  However,  when  they  are  tamed,  no 
animal  can  be  more  patient  or  humble  ;  and  though  by  no 
means  fo  docile  as  the  cow  kind,  yet  they  go  through  domef- 
lic  drudgeries  with  more  flrength  and  perfeverance. 

Although  thefe  animals  be  chiefly  found  in  the  torrid  zone, 
yet  they  are  bred  in  feveral  parts  of  Europe,  particularly  in 
Italy,  where  they  make  the  food  and  the  riches  of  the  poor. 
The  female  produces  but  one  at  a  time,  in  the  fame  manner  as 
the  cow  j  but  they  are  very  different  in  the  times  of  geftation  ; 
for  the  coy/,  ae  we  know,  goes  but  nine  months ;  whereas 
the  buffalo  continues  pregnant  for  twelve.  They  are  all  afraid 
of  fire  ;  and,  perhaps,  in  confequence  of  this,  have  an  aver- 
fion  to  red  colours,  that  refemble  the  colour  of  flame :  it  is 
faid,  that  in  thofe  countries  where  they  are  found  in  plentv, 
no  perfon  dares  to  drefs  in  fcarlet.  In  general,  they  are  inof- 
fenfive  animals,  if  undifturbed  ;  as,  indeed,  all  thofe  which 
f»ed  upon  grafs  are  found  to  be ;  but  when  they  are  wounded 


a»  QJJADRUPEDS  OF  THE 

or  when  even  but  fired  at,  nothing  then  can  flop  their  fury  ; 
they  then  turn  up  the  ground  with  their  fore  feet,  bellow 
much  louder  and  more  terribly  than  the  bull,  and  make  at  the 
object  of  their  refentment,  with  ungovernable  rage.  It  is 
happy,  in  fugh  circumilances,  if  the  perfon  they  purfue  has  a 
wall  to  efcape  over,  or  feme  fiich  obftacle,  otherwife  they 
foon  overtake,  and  inftantly  deftroy  him.  It  is  remarkable, 
however,  that  although  their  horns  are  fo  very  formidable, 
they  in  general  make  more  ufe  of  their  feet  in  combat,  and 
rather  tread  their  enemies  to  death  than  gore  them. 

Having  thus  gone  through  the  hiftory  of  thefe  animals,  it 
may  be  proper  to  obferve,  that  no  names  have  been  more 
indifcriminately  ufed  than  thofe  of  the  bull,  the  urus,  the  bi- 
fon,  and  the  buffalo.  It  therefore  becomes  fuch  as  would 
have  diftinft  ideas  of  each,  to  be  careful  in  feparating  the 
kinds,  the  one  from  the  other,  allowing  the  cow  for  the 
ftandard  of  all.  The  urus,  whether  of  the  large  enormous 
kind  of  Lithuania,  or  the  fmaller  race  of  Spain,  whether  with 
long  or  fhort  horns,  whether  with  or  without  long  hair  in  the 
forehead,  is  every  way  the  fame  with  what  our  common 
breed  was,  before  they  wrere  taken  from  the  foreft,  and  reduced 
to  a  ftate  of  fervitude.  The  bifon,  and  all  its  varieties,  which 
are  known  by  a  hump  between  the  moulders,  is  alfo  to  b^ 
ranked  in  the  fame  clafs.  This  animal,  whether  with  crooked 
or  ftraight  horns,  whether  they  be  turned  towards  the  cheek  or 
totally  wanting,  whether  it  be  large  or  diminutive,  whatever 
be  its  colour,  or  whatever  the  length  of  its  hair,  whether  cal- 
led the  bonafus  by  fome,  or  the  bubalus  by  ethers,  is  but  a  va- 
riety of  the  cow  kind,  with  whom  it  breeds,  and  with  whom 
of  confequence  it  has  the  clofeft  connection.  Laftly,  the  buf- 
falo, though  fhaped  much  more  like  the  cow,  is  a  diflindt  kind 
by  itfeif,  that  never  mixes  with  any  of  the  former;  that  goes 
twelve  months  with  young ;  \\  hereas  the  cow  goes  but  nine  j 
that  teftifies  an  averfion  to  the  latter ;  and,  though  bred  un- 
der the  fame  roof,  or  feeding  in  the  fame  pafture,  has  always 
kept  feparate ;  and  makes  a  cliftinft  race  in  all  parts  of  the 
world.  Thefe  two  kinds  are  fuppofed  to  be  the  only  real  ya,, 


COW   KIND,  2i 

rieties  in  the  cow  kind,  of  which  natural  ills  have  given  fo  ma- 
ny varieties.  "With  refpecl  to  feme  circumilunces  mentioned 
by  travellers,  fuch  as  that  of  many  kinds  defending  themfelves 
by  voiding  their  dung  againft  their  purfaers  ;  this  is  a  practice 
which  they  have  in  common  with,  other  timid  creatures,  -when 
purfued,  and  arifes  rather  from  fear  than  a  defire  of  defence. 
The  mulky  fmell  alfd,  by  which  fome  have  been  diflinguiihed, 
is  found  common  to  many  of  thefe  kinds,  in  a  {late  of  nature  5 
and  does  riot  properly  make  the  charad'erlftic  marks  of  any. 
The  particular  kind  of  noife,  alfo,  which  fome  of  them  are 
known  to  make,  which  rather  refembles  grunting  than  bellow- 
ing or  lowing,  is  but  a  favage  variety,  which  many  wild  ani- 
mals have,  and  yet  lofe  when  brought  into  a  date  of  t^.menefs, 
For  thefe  reafons,  mr.  BufTbn,  \vhcm  I  have  followed  in  this 
defcription,  is  of  opinion,  that  the  zebu,  or  little  African 
cow,  and  the  grunting,  or  Siberian  cow,  are  but  different  races 
of  the  bifon  ;  as  the  fhape  of  the  horns,  or  the  length  of  ths 
hair,  are  never  properly  chara&eriftic  marks  of  any  animal, 
but  are  found  to  vary  with  climats,  food,  and  cultivation. 

In  this  manner  the  number  of  animals  of  the  cow  kinds 
which  naturalifts  have  extended  to  eight  or  ten  forts,  are  re-? 
duced  to  two;  and  as  the  utmoft  deference  is  paid  to  the  opi- 
nion of  mr.  BufFon,  in  this  particular,  I  have  taken  him  fcr  my 
guide,  Neverthelefs,  there  is  an  animal  of  the  cow  kind,  which 
neither  he,  nor  any  other  naturalift  that  I  know  of,  has  hither-, 
to  defcribed,  yet  which  makes  a  very  diftinft  clafs,  and  may 
be  added  as  a  third  fpecies. 

This  animal  wasihown  fome  years  ago  in  London,  and  feemed 
to  unite  many  of  the  chara£tenftics  of  the  cow  and  the  : 
having  the  head,  the  horns,  and  the  tail  of  the  former;  with 
the  bridles,  the  colour,  and  the  grunting  of  the  latter.  It 
about  the  fize  of  an  afs,   but  broader  and  thicker  ;   the  colour 
refembling  that  of  a  hog,  and  the  hair  briftiy,  as  in  that  ani- 
Kial.  The  hair  upon  the  body  was  thin,  as  in  the  hog;   and  a 
row  of  briftles  ran  along  the  fpine,  rather  fhorter  and   fofter 
than  in  the  hog  kind.  The  head  was  rather  larger  than  th?.t  of 
3  cow  -,  the  teeth  were  entirely  rdeiubling  thofe  of  that  animal. 


Si  ANIMALS    OF    THE 

and  the  tongue  was  rough  in  like  manner.  It  fed  upon  hay ; 
and,  confequently,  its  internal  conformation  muft  havereiem- 
bled  that  of  the  cow  kind,  more  than  the  hog,  whofe  food  is 
always  chofen  of  a  kind  more  fucculent.  The  eyes  were  placed 
in  the  head  as  with  the  cow.  *and  were  pretty  nearly  of  the 
fame  colour;  the  horns  were  black  and  flattrfh,  but  bent  ra- 
ther backwards  to  the  neck,  as  in  the  goat  kind  ;  the  neck  was 
fhort  and  thick,  and  the  back  rather  rifing  in  the  middle ;  it 
was  cloven  footed,  like  the  cow,  without  thofe  hinder  claws 
that  are  found  in  the  hog  kinds.  But  the  greateil  variety  of 
all,  in  this  extraordinary  creature,  which  was  a  female,  was, 
that  it  had  but  two  teats,  and,  confequently,  in  that  refpect, 
refembled  neither  of  the  kinds,  to  which,  in  other  circumftan-. 
ces,  it  bore  fo  ftrong  a  fimilitude.  Whether  this  animal  was  a 
diftincl:  kind,  or  a  mender,  I  will  not  pretend  to  fay  ;  it  was 
fhown  under  the  name  of  the  bonafus  ;  and  it  was  faid,  by  the 
perfon  who  (bowed  it,  to  have  come  from  India  :  but  no  credit 
is  to  be  given  to  interefled  ignorance  5  the  perfon  only  want- 
ed to  make  the  animal  appear  as  extraordinary  as  poffible  ;  an 4 
I  believe  would  fcarcely  fcruple  a  lie  or  two,  to  increafe  that: 
wonder  in  us,  by  which  he  found  the  means  of  living. 


C  H  A  F.     III. 

Of  Animals  of  the  Skeep  and  Goat  Kind. 

AS  no  two  animals  are  found  entirely  the  fame,  fo  it  is  not 
to  be  expected  that  any  two  races  of  animals  fhould  ex- 
actly correfpond  in  every  particular.  The  goat  and  the  flieep 
are  apparently  different  in  the  form  of  their  bodies,  in  their  co- 
vering, and  in  their  horns  .They  may  from  hence  be  considered 
as  two  different  kinds,  with  regard  to  all  common  and  domeftic 
purpofes.  But  if  we  come  to  examine  them  clofer,  andobferve 
their  internal  conformation,  no  two  animals  can  be  more  alike  ; 
their  feet,  their  four  ftomachs,  their  fuet,  their  appetites,,  all 


SHEEP  AND  GOAT  KIND.  <$ 

ate  entirely  the  fame,  and  (hew  the  fimilitude  between  them«£ 
but  what  makes  a  much  ftronger  connexion  is,  that  they  pro- 
pagate with  each  other.  The  buck  goat  is  found  to  produce  with 
the  ewe  an  animal  that  in  two  or  three  generations  returns  ta 
the  fheep,  and  feems  to  retain  no  marks  of  its  ancient  progeni- 
tor r\  The  fheep  and  the  goat,  therefore,  may  be  confidered  as 
belonging  to  one  family  -,  and  were  the  whole  races  reduced 
to  one  of  each,  they  would  quickly  replemfh-  the  earth  with 
their  kind, 

If  we  examine  the  fheep  and  goat  internally,  we  mail  mid, 
as  was  faid,  that  their  conformation  is  entirely  the  fame  •,  nor 
is  their  ftrufture  very  remote  from  that  of  the  cow  kind,  which 
they  referable  in  their  hoofs,  and  in  their  chewing  the  cad.  In- 
deed, all  ruminant  animals  are  internally  very  much  alike.  The 
goat,  the  fheep,  or  the  deer,  exhibit  to  the  eye  of  the  anatomift 
the  fame  parts  in  miniature  which  the  cow  or  the  bifon  exhibi- 
ted in  the  great.  But  the  differences  between  thefe  animals  are, 
neverthelefs,  fufficiently  apparent.  Nature  ha's  obvioufly  mar- 
ked the  diftinc~Hons  between  the  cow  and  the  fheep  kind,  by 
their  form  and  fize  ;  and  they  are  alfo  diftinguifhed  from  thofe 
of  the  deer  kind,  by  never  fhedding  their  horns.  Indeed,  the 
form  and  figure  of  thefe  animals,  if  there  were  nothing  elfe, 
would  feldom  fail  of  guiding  us  to  the  kind  ;  and  we  might 
almoft,  upon  fight,  tell  which  belongs  to  the  deer  kind,  and 
which  are  to  be  degraded  into  that  of  the  goat.  However,  the 
annually  fhedding  the  horns  in  the  deer,  and  the  permanence 
in  the  fheep,  draws  a  pretty  exaft  line  between  the  kinds ;  fo 
that  we  may  hold  to  this  diftinftion  only,  and  define  the  fheep 
and  goat  kind  as  ruminant  animals  of  a  fmaller  fize;  that  never 
fhed  their  horns. 

If  we  confider  thefe  harmlefs  and  ufeful  animals  in  one  point 
of  view,  we  fhall  find  that  both  have  been  long  reclaimed,  and 
brought  into  a  ftate  of  domeftic  fervitude.  Both  feem  to  re- 
quire protection  from  man  ;  and  are,  in  fome  meafure,  pleafecl 
with  his  fociety.  The  fheep,  indeed,  is  the  more  fervkeable 


24  ANIMALS  OF  THE 

creature  of  the  two  ;  but  the  goat  has  more  fenfibility  and  at- 
tachment. The  attending  upon  both  was  once  the  employment 
of  the  wifefl  and  the  beil  of  men  ;  and  thofe  have  been  ever 
fuppofed  the  happieft  times,  in  which  thefe  harmlefs  creatures 
were  confidered  as  the  chief  objects  of  human  attention.  In 
the  esrlieft  ages,  the  goat  feemed  rather  the  greater  favourite  5 
and,  indeed,  it  continues  fuch  to  this  day  among  the  poor. 
However,  the  i!;eep  has  long  fince  become  the  principal  object 
of  human  care  ;  while  the  goat  is  difregarded  by  the  generali- 
ty of  mankind,  or  become  the  pofieflion  only  of  the  lowed  of 
the  people.  The  fheep,  therefore,  and  its  varieties,  may  be  con- 
fidered  firft  ;  and  the  goat  with  all  thofe  of  its  kind,  will  then 
properly  follow. 

THE    SHEEP. 


THOSE  animals  that  take  refuge  under  the  protection  of 
man,  in  a  few  generations,  become  indolent  and  helplefs.  Hav- 
ing loft  the  habit  of  felf- defence,  they  feem  to  lofe  alfo  the  in- 
ftinclis  of  nature.  The  fheep,  in  its-  prefent  domeftic  ftate,  is 
of  all  animals  the  mo  ft  defencelefs  and  inofFenfive.  With  its 
liberty  it  feems  to  have  been  deprived  of  its  fwiftnefs  and  cun- 
ning ;  and  what  in  the  afs  might  rather  be  called  patience,  in 
the  fheep  appears  to  be  ftupidity.  With  no  one  quality  to  fit 
it  for  felf-prefervation,  it  makes  vain  efforts  at  all.  Without 
fwiftnefs,  it  endeavours  to  fly ;  and  without  ftrength,  fome- 
times  offers  to  oppofe.  But  thefe  feeble  attempts  rather  incite 
than  reprefs  the  infults  of  every  enemy  ;  and  the  dog  follows 
the  flock  with  greater  delight  upon  feeing  them  fly,  and  attacks 
them  with  more  fiercenefs  upon  their  unfupported  attempts  at 
refiftance.  Indeed,  they  run  together  in  flocks  ;  rather  with  the 
hopes  of  lofing  their  fingle  danger  in  the  crowd,  than  of  uni- 
ting to  reprefs  the  attack  by  numbers.  The  fheep,  therefore, 
were  it  expofed  in  its  prefent  ftate,  to  ftruggle  with  its  natu- 
ral enemies  of  the  foreft  would  foon  be  extirpated.  Loaded  with 
-a  heavy  fleece,  deprived  of  the  defence  of  its  horns,  and  ren- 
dered heavy,  flow,  and  feeble,  it  can  have  no  other  fafety  than 


SHEEP  AND  GOAT  KIND.  25 

what  it  finds  from  man.  This  animal  is  now,  therefore, 
obliged  to  rely  folely  upon  that  art  for  protection,  to  which 
it  originally  owes  its  degradation. 

But  we  are  not  to  impute  to  nature  the  formation  of  an  ani- 
mal fo  utterly  unprovided  againft  its  enemies,  and  fo  unfit  for 
defence.  The  moufflon,  which  is  the  fheep  in  a  favage  ftate, 
is  a  bold,  fleet  creature,  able  to  efcape  from  the  greater  animals 
by  its  fwiftnefs,  or  to  oppofe  the  fmaller  kinds  with  the  arms 
it  has  received  from  nature.  It  is  by  human  art  alone  that  the 
fheep  is  become  the  tardy  defencelefs  creature  we  find  it. 
Every  race  of  quadrupeds  might  eafily  be  corrupted  by  the 
fame  allurements  by  which  the  fheep  has  been  thus  debilitated 
and  depreiTed.  While  undifturbed,  and  properly  fupplied,  none 
are  found  to  fet  any  bounds  to  their  appetite.  They  all  purfue 
their  food  while  able,  and  continue  to  graze,  till  they  often  die 
of  diforders  occafioned  by  too  much  fatnefs.  But  it  is  very  dif- 
ferent with  them  in  a  ftate  of  nature:  they  are  in  the  foreft 
furrounded  by  dangers,  and  alarmed  with  unceafing  hoflilities  ; 
they  are  purfued  every  hour  from  one  tracl  of  country  to  ano- 
ther ;  and  fpend  a  great  part  of  their  time  in  attempts  to  avoid 
their  enemies.  Thus  conflantly  exercifed,  and  continually 
practifing  all  the  arts  of  defence  and  efcape,  the  animal  at  once 
preferves  its  life  and  native  independence,  together  with  its 
fwifcnefs,  and  the  {lender  agility  of  its  form. 

The  fheep,  in  its  fervile  ftate,  feems  to  be  diverted  of  all  in- 
clinations of  its  own  •,  and,  of  all  animals,  it  appears  the  moft 
ftupid.  Every  quadruped  has  a  peculiar  turn  of  countenance, 
a  phyfiognomy,  if  we  may  fo  call  it,  that  generally  marks  its 
nature.  The  fheep  feems  to  have  none  of  thofe  traits  that  be- 
token either  courage  or  cunning  ;  its  large  eyes,  feparated  from 
each  other,  its  ears  fticking  out  on  each  fide,  and  its  narrow 
noftrils,  all  teftify  the  extreme  fimplicity  of  this  creature  ;  and 
the  p'ofition  of  its  hoVns  alfo,  {how  that  nature  defigned  the 
{heep  rather  for  flight  than  combat.  It  appears  a  large  mafs  of 
fiefti,  fupported  upon  four  fmall  ftraight  legs,  ill  fitted  for  carry- 
ing fuch  a  burthen  ;  its  motions  are  aukward,  it  is  eafily  fa- 
tigued, and  often  finks  under  the  weight  of  its  own  corpulency 

VOL.  II.  D 


26  ANIMALS  OF  THE 

In  proportion  as  thefe  marks  of  human  transformation  are  more 
numerous,  the  animal  becomes  more  helplefs  and  ftupid.  Thofe 
which  live  upon  a  more  fertile  pailure,  and  grow  fat,  become 
entirely  feeble ;  thofe  that  want  horns,  are  found  more  dull 
and  heavy  than  the  reft  • ;  thofe  whofe  fleeces  are  longeft  and 
finef!:,  are  mod  fubje-il  to  a  variety  of  diforders;  and,  in  fhort, 
whatever  changes"  have  been  wrought  in  this  animal  by  the  in- 
duftry  of  man,  are  entirely  calculated  for  human  advantage, 
and  not  for  that  of  the  creature  itfelf.  It  might  require  a  fuc- 
cefiion  of  ages,  before  the  fheep  could  be  reftored  to  its  primi- 
tive flate  of  activity,  fo  as  to  become  a  match  for  its  purfuers 
of  the  foreft. 

The  goat,  which  it  refembles  in  fo  many  other  refpects,  is 
much  its  fuperior.  The  one  has  its  particular  attachments, 
fees  danger,  and  generally  contrives  to  efcape  it  ;  but  the  other 
is  timid  without  a  cauie,  and  fecure  when  real  danger  ap- 
proaches. Nor  is  the  fheep,  when  bred  up  tame  in  the  houfe, 
and  familiarized  with  its  keepers,  lefs  obftinately  abfurd  :  from 
bein^  dull  and  timid,  it  then  acquires  a  degree  of  pert  famili- 
arity; buts  with  its  head,  becomes  mifchievous,  and  (hows  it- 
felf every  way  unworthy  of  being  fmgled  out  from  the  reft  of 
the  flock.  Thus  it  feems  rather  formed  for  flavery  than  friend- 
ihip  ;  and  framed  more  for  the  neceiTities  than  the  amufements 
of  mankind.  There  is  but  one  inftance  in  which  the  fheep 
fhows  any  attachment  to  its  keeper  ;  and  that  is  feen  rather 
on  the  continent,  than  among  us  in  Great-Britain.  What 
I  allude  to  is,  their  following  the  found  of  the  fhepherd's 
pipe.  Before  I  had  feen  them  trained  in  this  manner,  I  had  no 
conception  of  thofe  defcriptions  in  the  old  paftoral  poets,  of 
the  fhepherd  leading  his  flock  from  one  country  to  another. 
As  I  had  been  ufed  only  to  fee  thefe  harmlefs  creatures  driven 
before  their  keepers,  I  fuppofed  all  the  reft  was  but  invention  : 
but  in  many  p:irts  of  the  Alps,  and  even  fome  provinces  of 
France,  the  fhepherd  and  his  pipe  are  ftill  continued  with  true 
antique  fimplicity.  The  flock  is  regularly  penned  every  even- 

*  paubenton  on  tiae  Sheep. 


SHEEP  AND    GOAT   KIND.  27 

ing,  to  preferve  them  from  the  wolf ;  and  the  fhepherd  returns 
homeward  at  fun-fet,  with  his  iheep  following  him,  and  feem- 
ingly  pleafed  with  the  found  of  the  pipe,  which  is  blown  with  a 
reed,  and  refembles  the  chanter  of  the  bag-pipe.  In  this  manner, 
in  thofe  countries  that  ftill  continue  poor,  the  Arcadian  life  is 
prcferved  in  all  its  former  purity  ;  but  in  countries  where 
a  greater  inequality  of  conditions  prevail,  the  fhepherd  is  gene- 
rally fome  poor  wretch,  who  attends  a  flock  from  which  he  is 
to  derive  no  benefits,  and  only  guards  thofe  luxuries  which  he 
is  not  fated  to  fhare. 

It  does  not  appear  from  early  writers,  that  the  fheep  was 
bred  in  Britain ;  and  it  was  not  till  feveral  ages  after  this  ani- 
mal was  cultivated,  that  the  woollen  manufacture  was  car- 
ried on  among  us*.  That  valuable  branch  of  bufinefs  lay,  for 
a  confiderable  time,  in  foreign  hands  ;  and  we  were  obliged  to 
import  the  cloth,  manufactured  from  our  own  materials.  There 
were,  notwithstanding,  many  unavailing  efforts  among  our 
kings  to  introduce  and  preferve  the  manufacture  at  home. 
Henry  the  fecond,  by  a  patent  granted  to  the  weavers  in  Lon- 
don, directed,  that  if  any  cloth  was  found  made  of  a  mixture 
ef  Spanifh  wool,  it  Should  be  burned  by  the  mayor.  Such  edicts, 
atlength, although  but  flowly,  operated  towards  the  eflablifhing 
this  trade  among  us.  The  Flemings,  who-  at  the  revival  of  arts 
poflefled  the  art  of  cloth-working  in  a  fuperior  degree,  were  in- 
vited to  fettle  here  :  and  foon  after,  foreign  cloth  was  prohibited 
from  being  worn  in  England.  In  the  times  of  queen  Elizabeth, 
this  manufacture  received  every  encouragement ;  and  many 
of  the  inhabitants  of  the  Netherlands  being  then  forced  by 
the  tyranny  of  Spain,  to  take  refuge  in  this  country,  they  im- 
proved us  in  thofe  arts,  in  which  we  at  prefent  excel  the  reft 
of  the  world.  Every  art,  however,  has  its  rife,  its  meridian, 
and  its  decline  ;  and  it  is  fuppofed  by  many,  that  the  woollen 
manufacture  has,  for  fome  time,  been  decaying  nmonglt  us. 
The  cloth  now  made  is  thought  to  be  much  worfe  than  that 
of  fome  years  paft  ,-  being  neither  fo  firm,  nor  fo  fine,  neither 
fo  much  courted  abroad,  nor  fo  ferviceable  at  home. 

*  Brkifli  Zoology,  vol.  i.   p.  33. 


23  ANIMALSOFTHE 

No  country,  however,  produces  fuch  fheep  as  England  ; 
cither  with  larger  fleeces,  or  better  adapted  for  the  bufinefs  of 
clothing.  Thofe  of  Spain,  indeed,  are  finer,  and  we  generally 
require  fome  of  their  wool  to  work  up  with  our  own  ;  but  the 
weight  of  a  Spaniih  fleece  is  no  way  comparable  to  one  of 
Lincoln  or  Warwickfhire  ;  and,  in  thofe  counties,  it  is  no  un- 
common thing  to  give  fifty  guineas  for  a  ram. 

The  fheep  without  horns  are  counted  the  beft  fort,  becaufc 
a  great  part  of  the  animal's  nourifhment  is  fuppofed  to  go  up 
into  the  horns*.  Sheep,  like  other  ruminant  animals,  want 
the  upper  fore-teeth  ;  but  have  eight  in  the  lower  jaw  :  two  of 
thefe  drop,  and  are  replaced  at  two  years  old ;  four  of  them  are 
replaced  at  three  years  old  ;  and  all  at  four.  The  new  teeth 
are  eafily  known  from  the  reft,  by  their  freihnefs  and  Mrhitenefs. 
There  are  fome  breeds,  however,  in  England,  that  never  change 
their  teeth  at  all ;  thefe  the  (hepherds  call  the  leather  mouthed 
cattle  ;  and,  as  their  teeth  are  thus  longer  wearing,  they  are 
generally  fuppofed  to  grow  old  a  year  or  two  before  the  reftf. 
The  (heep  bring  forth  one  or  two  at  a  time ;  and  fometimes 
three  or  four.  The  firft  lamb  of  an  ewe  is  generally  pot-bellied, 
{hort,  and  thick,  and  of  lefs  value  than  thofe  of  a  fecond  or 
third  production ;  the  third  being  fuppofed  the  belt  of  all. 
They  bear  their  young  five  months ;  and,  by  being  houfed, 
they  bring  forth  at  any  time  of  the  year. 

But  this  animal,  in  its  domeftic  Mate,  is  too  well  known  to 
require  a  detail  of  its  peculiar  habits,  or  of  the  arts  which  have 
been  ufed  to  improve  the  breed.  Indeed,  in  the  eye  of  an  ob- 
ferver  of  nature,  every  art  which  tends  to  render  the  creature 
more  helplefs  and  ufelefs  to  itfelf,  may  be  confidered  rather 
as  an  injury  than  an  improvement;  and,  if  we  are  to  look  for  this 
animal  in  his  noblefl  ftate,  we  muft  feek  for  it  in  the  African 
defert,  or  the  extenfive  plains  of  Siberia.  Among  the  degene- 
rate defcendants  of  the  wild  {heep,  there  have  been  fo  many 
changes  wrought,  as  entirely  to  difguife  the  kind,  and  often  to 
miflead  the  obferver.  The  variety  is  fo  great,  that  fcarce  any 

*  Lifle's  Husbandry,  vol.  ii.  p.  155.         f  Ibid,  vpl  ii.  p.  ijj, 


SHEEP  AND  GOAT  KIND.  29 

two  countiies  has  its  (keep  of  the  fame  kind;  but  there  is 
found  a  manifeft  dilTerence  in  all;  either  in  the  iizs,  the  cover- 
ing, or  the  ihape  of  the  horns. 

The  woolly  fheep*,  as  it  is  feen  among  us,  is  found  only  in 
Europe,  and  fome  of  the  temperate  provinces  of  Alia.  Vv 
tranfported  into  warmer  countries,  either  into  Florida  or  Gui- 
nea, it  lofes  its  wool,  and  affumes  a  covering  fitted  to  the  cli- 
mate, becoming  hairy  and  rough  •,  it  there  alfo  lofes  its  fertility, 
and  its  flefh  no  longer  has  the  fame  luvour.  In  the  fame  man- 
ner, in  the  very  cold  countries^  it  feems  equally  helplefs  and  a 
flranger;  it  dill  requires  the  unceafing  attention  of  mankind  for 
its  prefervation  ;  and,  although  it  is  found  to  fubhft,  as  well  in 
Greenland  as  in  Guineaj-,  yet  it  feems  a  natuiai  inhnbhunt  of 
neither. 

Of  the  domeflic  kinds,  to  be  found  in  the  different  parts  or 
the  world,  befides  our  own,  which  is  common  in  Europe, 
the  firft  variety  is  to  be  feen  in  Iceland,  Mufcovy,  and  the 
coldeft  climates  of  the  north.  This,  which  may  be  called  the 
Iceland  fheep,  refembles  our  breed,  in  the  form  of  the  body  and 
the  tail,  but  differs  in  a  very  extraordinary  manner  in  the  num- 
ber of  the  horns;  being  generally  found  to  have  four,  and  fome- 
times  even  eight,  growing  from  different  parts  of  the  forehead. 
Thefe  are  large  and  formidable  ;  and  the  animal  feems  thus 
fitted  by  nature  for  a  ftate  of  war:  however,  it  is  of  the  nature 
of  the  reft  of  its  kind,  being  mild,  gentle,  and  timid.  Its  wool 
is  very  different  alfo,  from  that  of  the  common  fheep,  being 
long,  fmooth,  and  hairy.  Its  colour  is  of  a  dark  brown  ;  and 
under  its  outward  coat  of  hair,  it  has  an  internal  covering, 
that  rather  refembles  fur  than  wool,  being  fine,  fhort,  and  foft. 

The  fecond  variety  to  be  found  in  this  animal,  is  that  of 
the  broad-tail'd  fheep,  fo  common  in  Tartary,  Arabia,  Perfia, 
Barbary,  Syria,  and  Egypt.  This  fneep  is  only  remarkable  for 
its  large  and  heavy  tail,  which  is  often  found  to  weigh  from 
twenty  to  thirty  pounds.  It  fometimes  grows  a  foot  broad,  and 
is  obliged  to  be  fupported  by  a  fmall  kind  of  board,  that  goes 

*  Buffon,  rol.  xiiii.p.  i6ti  f  Krantz. 


36  ANIMALS    OF    THE 

upon  wheels.  This  tail  is  not  covered  underneath  with  wool, 
like  the  upper  part,  but  is  bare  :  and  the  natives,  who  confider 
it  as  a  very  great  delicacy,  are  very  careful  in  attending  and 
preferving  it  from  injury.  Mr.  Buffon  fuppofes,  that  the  fat 
which  falls  into  the  caul  of  our  (beep,  goes  in  thefe  tofurnifh 
the  tail ;  and  that  the  reft  of  the  body  is  from  thence  deprived 
of  fat  in  proportion.  With  regard  to  their  fleeces,  in  the  tem- 
perate climates,  they  are,  as  in  our  own  breed,  fcf  ,  and 
woolly  ;  but  in  the  warmer  latitudes,  they  are  hairy  :  yet  in 
both  they  preferve  the  enormous  fize  of  their  tails. 

The  third   obfervable  variety  is  that  of  the  {heep-  called 
Jlrepfichercs.    This  animal   is  a  native  of  the  iflands  of  the 
Archipelago,  and  only  differs  from  our  {heep,  in  having  ftraight 
horns,  furrounded  with  a  fpiral  furrow. 

The  laft  variety  is  that  of  the  Guinea  {heep,  which  is  general- 
ly found  in  all  the  tropical  climates,  both  of  Africa  and  the  Eaft- 
Indies.  They  are  of  a  large  fize,  with  a  rough,  hairy  {kin, 
fliort  horns,  and  ears  hanging  down,  with  a  kind  of  dewlap 
under  the  chin.  They  differ  greatly  in  form  from  the  reft; 
and  might  be  confidered  as  animals  of  another  kind,  were 
they  not  known  to  breed  with  other  {heep.  Thefe,  of  all  the 
domeftic  kinds,  feem  to  approach  the  neareft  to  a  ftate  of  na- 
ture. They  are  larger,  ftronger,  and  fwifter  than  the  common 
race ;  and,  confequently,  better  fitted  for  a  precarious  foreft 
life.  However,  they  feem  to  rely,  like  the  reft,  on  man,  for  f up- 
port;  being  entirely  of  a  domeliic  nature,  and  fubfifting  only  i& 
the  warmer  climates. 

Such  are  the  varieties  of  this  animal,  which  have  been  re- 
duced into  a  ftate  of  domeftic  fervitude.  Thefe  are  all  capa- 
ble of  producing  among  each  other  ;  all  the  peculiarities  of 
their  form  have  been  made  by  climate  and  human  cultivation ; 
snd  none  of  them  feem  fufficiently  independent,  to  live  in  a 
ftate  of  favage  nature.  They  are,  therefore,  to  be  confidered  as 
a  degenerate  race,  formed  by  the  hand  of  man,  and  propaga- 
ted merely  for  his  benefit.  At  the  fame  time,  while  man  thus 
cultivates  the  domeftic  kinds,  he  drives  away  and  deftroy* 


r 


ffVri<s 


SHEEP    AND    GOAT   KIND.  31 

the  favage  race,  which  are  lefs  beneficial,  and  more  head-ftrong. 
Thefe,  therefore,  are  to  be  found  in  a  very  fm.ill  number,  in 
the  moil  uncultivated  countries,  where  they  have  been  able  to 
fubfift  by  their  native  fvviftnsfs  and  itrength.  It  is  in  the  more 
uncultivated  parts  of  Greece,  Sardinia,  Corfica,  and  parti- 
cularly in  the  defarts  of  Tartary,  that  the  mouiH 0:1  is  to  be 
found,  that  bears  all  the  marks  of  being  the  primitive  race  ; 
and  that  has  been  actually  known  to  breed  with  the  domeilic 
animal. 

The  moufflon,  or  mufmon,  though  covered  with  hair, bears  a 
ftronger  fimilitude  to  the  ram  than  to  any  other  animal  ;  like  the 
ram,  it  has  the  eyes  placed  near  the  horns  ;  and  its  ears  are 
fhorter  than  thof"  of  the  £oat :  it  alfo  refembles  the  ram  in  its 

O 

horns,  and  in  all  the  particular  contours  of  its  form.  The  horns 
alfo  are  alike  ,  they  are  of  a  white  or  yellow  colour  ;  they  havs 
three  fides  as  in  the  ram,  and  bend  backwards  in  the  fame 
manner  behind  the  ears.  The  muzzle,  and  the  infide  of  ths 
cars  are  of  a  whitifli  colour,  tinctured  with  yellow;  the  other 
parts  of  the  face  are  of  a  browiiiih  grey.  The  general  colour 
of  the  hair  over  the  body  is  of  a  brown,  approaching  to  that  of  the 
red  deer.  The  infide  of  the  thighs  and  belly  are  of  a  white  tinc- 
tured with  yellow.  Th;  form,  upon  the  whole,  feems  more  made 
for  agility  and  (trength  than  that  of  the  common  fheep;.  and  the 
moufflon  is  actually  found  to  live  in  a  favage  (late,  and  main- 
tain, itfelf  either  by  force  or  fwiftnefs  againft  all  the  animals 
that  live  by  rapine.  Such  is  its  extreme  fpeed,  that  many 
have  been  inclined  rather  to  rank  it  among  the  deer  kind,  than 
the  fheep.  But  in  this  they  are  deceived,  as  the  mufmon  has  a 
mark  that  entirely  diftinguiihes  it  from  that  fpecies,  being 
known  never  to  fli:d  its  horns.  In  fome,  thefe  are  feen  to  grovr 
to  a  farprifing  fize  ;  many  of  them  meafuring,  in  their  convo- 
lutions, above  two  ells  long.  They  were  of  a  yellow  colour,  as 
was  faid,but  the  older  the  animal  grows,  the  darker  the  horns 
become  :  with  thefe  they  often  maintain  very  furious  battles  be- 
tween each  other  ;  and  fometimes  they  are  found  broken  ofF 
in  fuch  a  manner,  that  the  finall  animal*  of  the  fgrefl  creep  in- 


32  ANIMALS    OF    THE 

to  the  cavity  for  (helter*.  "When  the  mufmon  is  feen  Handing 
on  the  plain,  his  fore-legs  are  always  ftraight,  while  its  hinder 
feem  bent  under  him ;  but  in  cafes  of  more  a£tive  ne- 
eeffity,  this  feeming  deformity  is  removed,  and  he  moves  with 
great  fwiftnefs  and  agility.  The  female  very  much  refembles 
the  male  of  this  fpeeies,  but  that  me  is  lefs,  and  her  horns 
are  never  feen  to  grow  to  that  prodigious  fize  they  are  of  in 
the  wild  ram.  Such  is  the  (heep  in  its  favage  ftate  ;  a  bold, 
noble,  and  even  beautiful  animal :  but  it  is  not  the  moft  beau- 
tiful creatures  that  are  the  moft  ufeful  to  man.  Human  in- 
duflry  has  therefore  deilroyed  its  grace,  to  improve  its  utility. 

THE     GOAT, 

And  its  numerous  Varieties* 

THERE  are  fome  domeflic  animals  that  feem  as  auxiliaries 
to  the  more  ufeful  forts ;  and,  that  by  ceafing  to  be  the  firft, 
are  confidered  as  nothing.  We  have  feen  the  fervices  of  the 
afs  flighted,  becaufe  inferior  to  thofe  of  the  horfe  *,  and,  in  the 
fame  manner,  thofe  of  the  goat  are  held  cheap,  becaufe  the 
fheep  fo  far  exceeds  it.  Were  the  horfe  or  the  fheep  removed 
from  nature,  the  inferior  kinds  would  then  be  invaluable  ;  and 
the  fame  arts  would  probably  be  beftowed  in  perfecting  their 
kinds,  that  the  higher  order  of  animals  have  experienced.  But, 
in  their  prefent  neglected  ftate,  they  vary  but  little  from  the 
wild  animals  of  the  fame  kind  :  man  has  left  them  their  primi- 
tive habits  and  forms  ;  and  the  lefs  they  owe  to  his  afliduity, 
the  more  they  receive  from  nature. 

The  goat  feems,  in  every  refpecl:,  more  fitted  for  a  life  of 
favage  liberty  than  the  fheepf.  It  is  naturally  more  lively,  and 
more  pofTerTed  with  animal  inftincl:.  It  eafily  attaches  itfelf  to 
man,  and  feems  fenfible  of  his  carefles.  It  is  alfo  ftronger  and 
fwifter,  more  courageous,  and  more  playful,  lively,  capricious, 
and  vagrant:  it  is  not  eafily  confmed^to  its  flock,  but  choofes  it* 

*  Gnaelin,  as  quoted  by  Button. 


SHEEP    AND   GOATKIND.  53 

own  paftures,  and  loves  to  ftray  remote  from  the  reft.  It  chief- 
ly delights  in  climbing  precipices  •,  in  going  to  the  very  edge  of 
danger  :  it  is  often  feen  fufpended  upon  an  eminence,  hanging 
over  the  fea,  upon  a  very  little  bafe,  and  even  fleeps  there  in  fe- 
eurity.   Nature  has,  in  fome  meafure,  fitted  it  for  traverfing 
thefc  declivities  with  eafe;  the  hoof  is  hollow  underneath,  with 
lliarp  edges,  fo   that  it  walks  as  fecurely  on  the  ridge  of  a 
houfe,  as  on  the  level  ground.    It  is  a  hardy  animal,  and  very 
eafily  fuflained  ;  for  which  reafon,  it  is  chiefly  the  property  of 
the  poor,  who  have  no  paftures  with  which  to  fupply  it.  Hap- 
pily, however,  it  feems  better  pleafed  with  the  neglected  wild, 
than  the  cultivated  fields  of  art ;   it  choofes  the  heathy  moun- 
tain, or  the  (hrubby  rock  ;  its  favourite  food  is  the  tops  of  the 
boughs,  or  the  tender  bark  of  young  trees  :  in  feems  lefs  afraid 
of  immoderate  heat,  and  bears  the  warm  climates  better  than 
the  fheep  ;  it  fleeps  expofed  to  the  fun  ;  and  feems  to  enjoy  its 
warmed  fervours  j  nekher  is  it  terrified  at  the  ftorm,  or  in- 
commoded by  the  rain  ;  immoderate  cold  alone  feems  to  affect 
it,  and  is  faid  to  produce  a  vertigo,  with  which  this  animal  is 
fometimes  incommoded.  The  inconftancy  of  its  nature  is  per- 
ceivable in  the  irregularity  of  its  gait;  it  goes  forward,  ftops, 
runs,   approaches,  flies,   merely  from  caprice,  and  with   no 
other  feeming  reafon  than  the  extreme  vivacity  of  its  difpo- 
fition. 

There  are  proofs  of  this  animal's  being  naturally  the  friend 
of  man  •,  and  that  the  goat  feldom  refumes  its  primaeval  wild- 
nefs,  when  once  reduced  into  a  (late  of  fervitude.  In  the  year 
1698,  an  Englifh  veflel  happening  to  touch  at  the  iflands  of 
Bonavifta,  two  negroes  came,  and  offered  the  failors  as  many 
goats  as  they  chofe  to  take  away.  Upon  the  captain's  exprefllng 
his  aftonifliment  at  this  offer,  the  negroes  affured  him  that 
there  were  but  twelve  perfons  in  the  ifland,  and  that  the  goats 
were  multiplied  in  fuch  a  manner,  as  even  to  become  a  nui- 
fance  :  they  added,  that  inftead  of  giving  any  trouble  to  catch 
them,  they  followed  the  few  inhabitants  that  were  left,  with  a 
fort  of  obftinacy,  and  rather  became  importunate  with  their 
tamenefs. 

VOL.  II.  K 


34  ANIMALS    OF   THE 

The  goat  produces  but  two  at  a  time  ;  and  three  at  the  moft* 
But  in  the  warmer  climates,  although  the  animal  degenerates, 
and  grows  lefs,  yet  it  becomes  more  fruitful,  being  generally 
found  to  bring  forth  three,  four,  and  five  at  a  fingle  delivery-. 
The  buck  is  capable  of  propagating  at  the  age  of  one  year,  ind 
the  female  at  feven  months;  however,  the  fruits  of  this  prema- 
ture generation  are  weak  and  defective;  and  their  beil  breeding 
time  is  generally  delayed  till  the  age  of  two  years,  or  eighteen 
months  at  leaft.  One  buck  is  fufficient  for  a  hundred  and  fifty 
goats ;  his  appetites  are  exceffive  :  but  this  ardour  brings  on  a 
fpeedy  decay,  fo  that  he  is  enervated  in  four  years  at  moil,  and 
even  becomes  old  before  he  reaches  his  feventh  year.  The 
goat,  like  the-iheep,  continues  five  months  with  young-,  and,  in 
ibme  places,  bears  twice  a  year. 

The  milk  of  the  goat  is  fwcet,  nourifliing,  and  medicinal ; 
not  fo  apt  to  curdle  upon  the  ftomach  as  that  of  the  cow  ;  and, 
therefore,  preferable  to  thofe  whofe  digeflion  is  but  weak.  The 
peculiarity  of  this  animal's  food,  gives  the  milk  a  flavour  differ- 
ent from  that  either  of  the  cow  or  fheep  ;  for,  as  it  generally 
feeds  upon  the  fhrubby  pailures,  and  heathy  mountains,  there 
is  an  agreeable  wild nefs  in  the  tafte,  very  pleafing  to  fuch  as  are 
fond  of  that  aliment.  In  feveral  parts  of  Ireland,  and  the  high- 
lands of  Scotland,  the  goat  makes  the  chief  pofleflion  of  the 
inhabitants.  On  thofe  mountains,  where  no  other  ufeful  ani- 
mal could  find  fubfiftence,  the  goat  continues  to  glean  a  fuffi- 
cient living ;  and  fupplies  the  hardy  natives  with  what  they  con- 
•fider  as  varied  luxury.  They  lie  upon  beds  made  of  their  ikins, 
which  are  foft,  clean,  and  wholefome ;  they  live  upon  their 
milk,  with  oat  bread  ;  they  convert  a  part  of  it  into  butter,  and 
fome  into  cheefe  ;  the  flefh  indeed  they  feldom  taile  of,  as  it  is 
a  delicacy  which  they  find  too  expenfive ;  however,  the  kid  is 
confidered  even  by  the  city  epicure,  as  a  great  rarity ;  and  the 
flefliof  the  goat,  when  properly  prepared,  is  ranked  by  fome  equal 
to  venifon.  In  this  manner,  even  in  the  \vildeft  folitudes,  th« 
poor  find  comforts,  of  which  the  rich  do  not  think  it  worth 
their  while  to  difpoflefs  them  ;  in  thefe  mountainous  retreats, 
where  the  landfcape  prefents  only  afcene  of  rocks,  heaths,  and 


SHEEP   ANT)    GOAT   KIND.  35 

fiirubs,  that  fpeak  the  wretchednefs  of  the  foil,  thefe  Gmple 
people  have  their  feafts,  and  their  pleafures;  their  faithful  flock 
of  goats  attends  them  to  thefe  awful  folitudes,  and  furnifhes 
them  with  all  the  necelTaries  of  life  ;  while  their  remote  fitua- 
tion  happily  keeps  them  ignorant  of  greater  luxury. 

As  thefe  animals  are  apt  to  ftray  from  the  flock,  no  man  can 
attend  above  fifty  of  them  at  a  time.  They  are  fattened  in  the 
fame  manner  as  fheep;  but,  taking  every  precaution,  their  flefh 
is  never  fo  good  or  fo  fweet,  in  our  climate,  as  that  of  mutton. 
It  is  otherwife  between  the  tropics.  The  mutton  there  be- 
comes flabby  and  lean,  while  the  flefh  of  the  goat  rather  feems 
to  improve ;  and,  in  feme  places,  the  latter  is  cultivated  in  pre- 
ference to  the  former.  We,  therefore,  find  this  animal  in  aU 
mod  every  part  of  the  world,  as  it  feems  fitted  for  the  necefil- 
ties  of  man.  in  both  extremes.  Towards  the  north,  where  the 
pafture  is  coarfe  and  barren,  the  goat  is  fitted  to  find  a  fcanty 
fubftence  ;  between  the  tropics,  where  the  heat  is  exceffive, 
the  goat  is  fitted  to  bear  the  climate,  and  its  flefh  is  found  to 
improve. 

One  of  the  moft  remarkable  varieties  we  find  in  the  goat  is 
in  that  of  Natolia.  The  Natolian  goat,  or,  as  mr.  BufFon  calls 
it,  the  goat  of  Angora,  has  the  ears  longer  than  ours,  and 
broader  in  proportion.  The  male  has  horns  of  about  the  fame 
length  with  the  goat  of  Europe,  but  black,,  and  turned  very 
differently,  going  out  horizontally  on  each  fide  of  the  head, 
and  twifted  round  in  the  manner  of  a  cork-fcrew.  The  horns 
of  the  female  are  fhorter,  and  encircle  the  ear  fomewhat  like 
thofe  of  the  ram.  They  are  of  a  dazzling  white  colour,  and, 
in  all,  the  hair  is  very  long,  thick,  fine,  and  glofly  ;  it  is  indeed 
the  cafe  with  almoft  all  the  animals  of  Syria.  There  are  a  great 
number  of  thefeanimals  about  Angora,  where  the  inhabitants 
drive  a  trade  with  their  hair,  which  is  fold,  either  raw  or  ma^ 
nufa&ured,  into  all  parts  of  Europe.  Nothing  can  exceed  the 
beauty  of  the  fluffs  which  are  made  from  the  hair  of  almoft 
all  the  animals  of  that  country.  Thefe  are  well  known  among 
*s  by  the  name  of  camlet. 


36  A  N  I  M  A  L  S  O  F  T  II  E 

A  fecond  variety  is  the  AfTyrian  goat  of  Gefner,  which  is 
fcmewhat  larger  than  ours,  with  ears  almoft  hanging  down  to. 
the  ground,  and  broad  in  proportion.  The  horns,  on  the  con- 
trary, are  not  above  two  inches  and  a  half  long,  black,  and 
bending  a  little  backwards.  The  hair  is  of  a  fox  cokur,  and, 
under  the  throat,  there  are  two  excrefcences,  like  the  gills  of  a 
cock.  Thefe  animals  are  chiefly  kept  round  Aleppo,  for  the 
Oke  of  their  milk.  They  are  driven  through  the  flreets,  and 
their  milk  is  fold  to  the  inhabitants  as  they  pafs  along. 

In  the  third  variety  may  be  reckoned,  the  little  goat  of  Ame- 
rica, which  is  of  the  fize  of  a  kid,  but  the  hair  is  as  long  as 
that  of  the  ordinary  breed.  The  herns,  which  do  not  exceed 
the  length  of  a  man's  finger,  are  thick,  r^d  bend. downward* 
fo  clofe  to  the  head,  that  they  almoft  enter  the  fkin. 

There  is  an  animal  of  this  kind  at  the  Cape  of  Good  Hope, 
called  the  blue  goat,  which  may  be  ranked  as  the  fourth  va- 
riety. It  is  in  fhape  like  the  domeftic,  but  much  larger,  be- 
ing nearly  of  the  fize  of  a  Hag.  Its  hair  is  very  fhort,  and  of 
a  delightful  blue  5^  but  it  lofes  a  great  deal  of  its  beauty  when 
the  animal  is  dead.  It  has  a  very  long  beard  ;  but  the  horns 
are  not  fo  long  in  proportion  as  in  other  goats,  being  turned 
fpirally  in  the  manner  of  a  cork- fere w.  It  has  very  long  legs, 
but  well  proportioned  ;  and  the  flefti  is  very  well  tailed,  buc 
lean.  For  this  reafon,  in  that  plentiful  country,  it  is  chiefly 
killed  on  account  of  its  fkin.  It  is  a  very  fhy  animal,  and  fel- 
dom  comes  near  the  Dutch  fettlements  j  but  they  are  found 
in  great  abundance  in  the  more  uncultivated  parts  of  the 
country.  Befides  thefe,  they  are  found  in  this  extenfive  region 
of  various  colours,  and  many  of  them  are  fpotted  beautifully 
with  red,  white,  and  brown. 

In  fine,  the  Juda  goat  refembles  ours  in  moil  parts,  except 
in  fize,  it  being  much  fmaller.  This  animal  is  common  in  Gui- 
nea, Angola,  and  all  along  the  coafts  of  Africa  :  it  is  not  much 
larger  than  a  hare,  but  it  is  extremely  fat,  and  its  flefh  admira- 
bly tailed.  It  is  in  that,  country  univerfally  preferred  to  mut- 
ton. 


I'-./.M   faat  .'if'' 


!':>(>    \<>7.   1  ! 


S  H  E  E  P   A  N  D   G  O  A  T  K  I  N  D.          37 

Thefe  animals  fecm  all  of  one  kind,  with  very  trifling  dif- 
tincHons  between  them.  It  is  true  that  they  differ  in  fome  re- 
fpec~h  ;  fuch  as  having  neither  the  fame  colour,  hair,  ears, 
or  horns.  But  it  ought  to  be  confidered  as  a  rule  in  natural 
hiftory,  that  neither  the  horns,  the  colour,  tl  ;,  or  the 

length  of  the  hair,  or  the  petition  of  the  ears,  are  to  be  con- 
fidered  as  making  an  actual  diilinclion  in  the  kinds.  Thefe 
are  accidental  varieties,  produced  by  climate  and  feed,  which 
are  known  to  change  even  in  the  fame  animal,  and  give  it  a 
feeming  difference  of  form.  When  we  fee  the  fliapes,  the  in- 
clinations, and  the  internal  conformation  of  the  fecmingly  dif- 
ferent creatures  nearly  the  fame  ;  and,  above  all,  when  we 
fee  them  producing  among  each  other,  we  then  have  no  heii- 
tation  in  pronouncing  the  fpecies,  and  aficrtng  that  thefe 
of  die  goat  kind,  with  which  they  are  fo  materially  connected. 

But  although  thefe  are  evidently  known  to  belong  to  the 
goat  kind,   there  are   others  nearly    refembling  the   goat,  of 
whole  kindred  we  cannot  be  equally  certain.  Thefe  are  fuch 
as,  being  found  in  a  ftate  of  nature,  have  not  as  yet  beer, 
ficiently  fubjecled  to  human  obfervation.  Hence  it  L 
ble  to  determine  with  precifion  to  which  clafs  they  belong ; 
whether  they  be  animals  cf  a  p:>.  :rely  the  ;, 

in  its  ftate  of  favage  freedom.  Yvrere  there  but  one  of  thefe 
wild  animals,  the  enquiry  would  foon  be  ended  ;  and  \ve  might 
readily  allow  it  for  the  parent  (lock  ;  but,  in  the  prefent  cafe, 
there  are  two  kinds  that  have  almoft  e<]ual  pretenfions  to  this 
honour  ;  and  the  claims  of  which  it  has  been  found  difficult 
to  determine.  The  animals  in  queflion  are  the  fhanimov  and 
the  ibex.  Thefe  both  bear  very  near  approaches  to  the  goat 
in  figure  ;  have  horns  that  never  ihed  ;  and,  at  the  fame  ti 
are  more  different  from  each  other  than  from  the  animal  in 
queftion.  From  \\  hich  of  thefe  two  fources  ou-r  domeflic  ; 
is  derived,  is  not  eafy  to  fettle.  Inilead,  therefore,  of  entering 
into  the  difcuflion,  I  .will  content  myfelf  with  the  remit  of 
mr.  Buffon's  enquiries.  He  is  of  opinion,  that  the  ibex  is  the 
principal  fource,  that  our  domeftic  goat  is  the  immediate  de- 
fcendant,  and  that  the  fhammoy  is  but  a  variety  from  that 


3*  ANIMALS  OF  THE 

ftock,  a  fort  of  collateral  branch  cf  the  fame  family.  His  prin- 
cipal reafon  for  giving  the  preference  to  the  ibex  is  its  having 
a  more  mafcuiine  figure,  large  horns,  and  a  large  beard  ; 
whereas  the  fhammoy  wants  thefe  marks  of  primitive  ftr.ength 
and  wildnefs.  He  fuppofes,  therefore,  in  their  original  fav.age 
fbte,  that  our  goat  has  taken  after  the  male  of  the  parent 
frock,  and  the  fhammoy  after  the  female  ;  and  that  this  has 
produced  a  variety  in  thefe  animals,  even  before  they  under-* 
went  human  cultivation. 

However  this  be,  the  two  animals  in  queflion  feem  both 
\vell  fitted  for  their  precarious  life,  being  extremely  fwift,  and 
capable  of  running  with  eafe  along  the  edges  of  precipices, 
where  even  the  wolf  or  the  fox,  though  in  Riga  ted  by  hunger, 
dares  not  purfuc  them.  They  are  both  natives  of  the  Alps,, 
the  Pyrenees,  and  the  mountains  of  Greece  ;  there  they  pro- 
pagate in  vail  numbers,  and  continue  to  exift  in  fpite  of  the 
hunter  and  every  beail  of  prey  that  is  found  incefiantly  to 
purfue  them. 

The  ibex  refembles  the  goat  in  the  fhape  of  its  body  :  bufe^ 
differs  in  the  horns,  which  are  much  larger.  They  are  bent 
backward,  full  of  knots  ;  and  it  is  generally  aflerted  that  there 
is  a  knot;  added  every  year.  There  are  fome  of  thefe  found, 
if  we  may  believe  Bellonius,  at  lead  two  yards  long.  The  ibex 
has  a  large  black  beard,  is  of  a  brown  colour,  with  a  thick, 
warm  coat  of  hair.  There  is  a  ftreak  of  black  runs  along  the 
top  of  the  back  5  and  the  belly  and  back  of  the  thighs  are  o£ 
a  fawn  colour. 

The  fhammoy*,  though  a  wild  animal,  is  very  eafily  tamed, 
and  docile  ;  and  to  be  found  only  in  rocky  and  mountainous 
places.  It  is  about  the  fize  of  a  domeftic  goat,  and  refembles  one 
in  many  refpecls.  It  is  moft  agreeably  lively,  and  aclive  beyond 
exprcflion.  The  ihammoy's  hair  is  fhort,  like  that  of  the  doe  j. 
in  fpring  it  is  of  an  afh  colour,  in  autumn  a  dun  colour,  in- 
clining to  black,  and  in  winter  of  a  blackifli  brown.  This 
animal  is  found  in  great  plenty  in  the  mountains  of  Dauphi* 

*  M.  Peroud's  Account,  as  quoted  by  EuJFen. 


<?  IW.  II 


SHEEP   AND   GOAT  KIND.  39 

ny,  of  Piedmont,  Savoy,  Switzerland,  and  Germany.  They 
are  peaceful,  gentle  creatures,  and  live  in  fociety  with  eacii 
other.  They  are  found  in  flocks  of  from  four  to  fourfcore, 
and  even  a  hundred,  difperied  upon  the  crags  of  the  moun- 
tains. The  large  males  are  feen  feeding  detached  from  the  reft, 
except  in  rutting  time,  when  they  approach  the  females, 
and  drive  away  the  young.  The  time  of  their  coupling  is  from 
the  beginning  of  November,  to  the  end  of  October,  and 
they  bring  forth  in  April  and  March.  The  young  ke-^ps  with 
the  darn  about  five  months,  and  fometimes  longer,  if  the  hun- 
ters and  the  wolves  do  not  feparale  them.  It  is  averted  that 
they  live  between  twenty  and  thirty  years.  Their  flefli  is  good 
to  eat  ;  and  they  are  found  to  have  ten  or  twelve  pounds  of 
fuet,  which  far  furpafles  that  of  the  goat  in  hardnefs  and 
goodnefs.  The  fhammoy  has  fcarce  any  cry,  as  mod  anL 
are  known  to  have  ;  if  it  has  any,  it  is  a  kind  of  feeble  bleat, 
by  which  the  parent  calls  its  young.  But,  in  cafes  of  danger, 
and  when  it  is  to  warn  the  reft  of  the  flock,  it  ufes  a  hilling 
noife,  which  is  heard  at  a  great  difhnce.  For,  it  is  to  be  ob- 
ferved,  that  this  creature  is  extremely  vigilant,  and  has  an  eye 
the  quickeft  and  moft  piercing  in  nature.  Its  fmell  alfo  is  not 
lefs  diftinguifiiing.  When  it  fees  its  enemy  diftincliy,  it  flops 
for  a  moment  ;  and  then,  if  the  perfon  be  near,  in  an  inftant 
after  it  flies  off.  In  the  fame  manner,  by  its  fmell,  it  can  dif- 
cover  a  man  at  half  a  leagues  diftance,  and  gives  the  earlieii 
notice.  Upon  any  alarm,  therefore,  or  any  apprehenfiona  of 
danger,  the  mammoy  begins  his  hiding  note  with  fuch  force, 
that  the  rocks  and  the  foreft  re-echo  to  the  found.  The  fir  ft 
hifs  continues  as  long  as  the  time  of  one  infpiration.  In  the 
beginning  it  is  very  (harp,  and  deeper  towards  the  clofe.  The 
animal  having,  after  this  firft  alarm,  repofed  a  moment,  again 
looks  round,  and  perceiving  the  reality  of  its  fears,  continues 
to  hifs  by  intervals,  until  it  has  fpread  the  alarm  to  a  very  great 
diftance.  During  this  time,  it  feems  in  the  moft  violent  agi- 
tation ;  it  ftrikes  the  ground  with  its  fore-foot,  and  fome- 
times with  both  :  it  bounds  from  rock  to  rock  ;  it  turns  and 
looks  round  ;  it  runs  to  the  edge  of  the  precipice  •,  and,  (till 


ANIMALS   OF  THE 

perceiving  the  enemy,  files  with  all  its  (peed.  The  hitting  of 
the  male  is  much  louder  and  (harper  than  that  of  the  female  :• 
it  is  performed  through  the  nofe  ;  and  is  properly  no  more 
Iran  a  very  ftrong  breath,  driven  violently  through  a  final! 
aperture.    The  fhammoy  feeds  upon  the  bed  herbage,  and 
choofes  the  mod  delicate  parts  of  the  plants,  the  flower  and  the 
tender  buds*.  It  is  not  lefs  delicate  with  regard  to  feveral  aro- 
matic herbs,  which  grow  upon  the  fides  of  the  mountains.  It 
drinks  but  very  little  while  it  feeds  upon  the  fucculent  her- 
bage, and  chews  the  cud  in  the  intervals  of  feeding.  This  ani- 
mal is  greatly  admired  for  the  beauty  of  its  eyes,  which  are 
round  and  fparkling,  and  which  mark  the  warmth  of  its  con- 
flitution.  Its  head  is  furnifhed  with  two  fmall  horns,  of  about 
half  a  foot  long,  of  a  beautiful  black,  and  rifing  from  the  fore- 
head, almoft  betwixt  the  eyes.    Thefe,  contrary  to  what  they 
are  found  in  ether  animals,  inflead  of  going  backwards  or 
fideways,  jet  out  forward,  and  bend  a  little,  at  their  extremi- 
ties, backward,  in  a  fmall  circle,  and  end  in  a  very  fharp  point. 
The  ears  are  placed  in  a  very  elegant  manner,  near  the  horns  5 
and  there  are  two  ilripes  of  black  on  each  fide  of  the  face, 
the  reft  being  of  a  whitifh  yellow,  which  never  changes.   The 
horn  of  this  animal  is  often  ufed  as  the  head  of  a  cane.  Thofe 
ef  the  female  are  lefs,  and  not  fo  much  bent  •,  and  fome  far- 
riers are  feen  to  bleed  cattle  with  them.  Thefe  animals  are  fo 
much  incommoded  by  heat,  that  they  are  never  found  in 
fummer,  except  in  the  caverns  of  rocks,  amidft  fragments  of 
unmelted  ice,  under  the  (hade  of  high  and  fpreading  trees,  or 
of  rough  and  hanging  precipices>  that  face  the  north,  and  which 
keep  off  entirely  the  rays  of  the  fun.  They  go  to  pafture  both 
morning  and  evening,  a=  d  feldom  during  the  heat  of  the  day. 
They  run  along  the  rocks  with  great  eafe  and  feeming  indif- 
ference, and  l'»ap  from  one  to  another,  fo  that  no  dogs  are  able 
to  purfue  them.  There  is  nothing  more  extraordinary  than  to 
fee  them  climbing  and  defcending  precipices,  that,  to  all  other 
quadrupeds,  are  inacceflible.    They  always  mount  or  defcend 
in  an  oblique  direction  ;  and  throw  themfelves  down  a  rock  of 
thirty  feet,  and  light,  with  great  fecurity,  upon  fome  excre* 


SHEEP   AND   GOAT  KIND.          41 

fcence,  or  fragment,  on  the  fide  of  the  precipice,  which  is  juft 
large  enough  to  place  their  feet  upon  ;  they  ftrike  the  rock, 
however,  in  their  defcent,  with  their  feet,  three  or  four  times, 
to  ftop  the  velocity  of  their  motion  ;  and  when  they  have  got 
upon  their  bafe  below,  they  at  once  feem  fixed  and  fecure.   In 
fad,  to  fee  them  jump  in  this  manner,  they  feem  rather  to 
have  wings  than  legs  ;  fome,  indeed,  pretend  to  fay^that  they 
ufe  their  horns  for  climbing,  but  this  wants   confirmation. 
Certain  it  is,  that  their  legs  alone  are  formed  for  this  arduous 
employment,  the  hinder  being  rather  longer  than  the  former, 
and  bending  in  fuch  a  manner,  that,  when  they  defcend  upon 
them,  they  break  the  force  of  the  fall.    It  is  alfo  aflened,  that 
n  they  feed,  one  of  them  always  (lands  as  centinel ;  but 
how  far  this  may  be  true  is  queftionable.     For  certain,  while 
they  feed,  there  are  fome  of  them  that  keep  continually  gaz- 
ing round  the  reft  ;  but  this  is  praclifed  among  all  gregari- 
ous animals  ;  fo  that  when  they  fee  any  danger,  they  warn 
the  red  of  the  herd  of    its  approach.     During   the  rigours 
of  winter,  the   fhammoy   ileeps  in   the  thickeft  forefts,   and 
feeds  upon  the  fhrubs  and  the  buds  of  the  pine-tree.   It  fome- 
times  turns  up  the  fnow  with  its  foot  to  look  for  herbage  ; 
and,  where  it  is  green,  makes  a  delicious  repaft.  The  mcr* 
craggy  and  uneven  the  foreft,  the  more  this  animal  is  pleafed 
with  the  abode,  which  thus  adds  to  its  fccurity.   'i  he  hunting 
the  fliammoy  is  very  laborious  and  extremely  difficult.    The 
moft  ufual  way  is  to  hide  behind  the  clefts  of  the  rocks  and 
fhoot  them.  This,  however,  muft  be  done  with  great  precau- 
tion ;  the  fportfman  muft  creep  for  a  vaft  way  upon  his  belly, 
in  filence,  and  take  alfo  the  advantage  of  rhe  wind,  which,  if 
it  blow  from  him,  they  would  inftantly   perceive.  When  ar- 
rived at  a  proper  diftance,  he  then  advances  his  piece,  which 
is  to  be  rifle-barrelled,  and  to  carry  one  ball,  and  tries  his  for* 
tune  among  them.   Some  aifo  purfue  this  animal  as  they  do 
the  (lag,  by  placing  proper  perfons  at  all  the  palTages  of  a  glade, 
and  then  fending  in  others  to  roufe  the  game.   Dogs  are  quite 
ufelefs  in  this  chace,  as  they  rather  alarm  than  overtake.   N  r 
is  it  without  danger  even  to  the  men  ;  for  it  often  happens  i 

VOL.  It  F 


^2  A  N  I  M  A  L  S   OF  THE 

-when  the  animal  finds  itfelf  overprefTed,  it  drives  at  the  hun- 
ter with  its  head,  and  often  tumbles  him  down  the  neigh- 
bouring precipice.  This  animal  cannot  go  upon  ice  wl^en 
fmooth  ;  but  if  there  be  the  leaft  inequalities  on  its  furface, 
it  then  bounds  along  in  fecurity,  and  quickly  evades  all  pur- 
fuit. 

The  fkm  of  the  fhammoy  was  once  famous,  when  tanned, 
for  its  foftnefs  and  warmth  ;  at  prefent,  however,  fince  the  art 
of  tanning  has  been  brought  to  greater  perfection,  the  lea- 
ther called  fhammoy  is  made  alfo  of  thofe  of  the  tame  goat, 
the  fheep,  and  the  deer.  Many  medicinal  virtues  alfo  were 
faid  to  refide  in  the  blood,  fat,  gall,  and  the  concretion  fome- 
tinies  found  in  the  ftomach  of  this  animal,  called  the  German 
bezoar.  The  fat,  mixed  with  niili,  was  faid  to  be  good  in 
ulcers  of  the  lungs.  The  gall  was  faid  to  be  ufcful  in  ftrength- 
ening  the  light  j  the  (tone,  which  is  generally  about  the  fize  of 
a  walnut,  and  blackifh,  was  formerly  in  great  requefl  for  hav- 
ing the  fame  virtues  with  oriental  bezoar.  However,  in  the 
prefent  enlightened  flate  of  phyfic,  all  tbefe  medicines  are 
quite  out  of  repute,  and,  although  we  have  the  names  of  fe- 
veral  medicines  procurable  from  quadrupeds,  yet,  except  the 
mufk  or  hartfhgrn  alone,  I  know  of  none  in  any  degree  of  re- 
putation. It  is  true,  the  fat,  the  urine,  the  beak,  and  even  the 
dung,  of  various  animals,  may  be  found  efficacious  where  bet- 
ter remedies  are  not  to  be  had  ;  but  they  are  far  furpafied  by 
many  at  prefent  in  ufe,  whofe  operation  we  know,  and  whofe 
virtues  are  confirmed  by  repeated  experience. 

Such  are  the  quadrupeds  that  more  peculiarly  belong  to  the 
goat  kind.  Each  of  thefe,  in  all  probability,  can  engender  and 
breed  with  the  other ;  and  were  the  whole  race  extinguiihed, 
except  any  two,  thcfe  would  be  fufficient  to  replsnifh  the  world, 
and  continue  the  kind.  Nature,  however,  proceeds  in  her  vari- 
"ations  by  flow  and  infenfible  degrees,  and  fcarce  draws  a  firm, 
<Uilinguifhed  line,  between  any  two  neighbouring  races  of  ani- 
mals, whatfoever.  Thus  it  is  hard  to  difcover  where  the  iheep 
ends  and  the  goat  begins  ;  and  we  fhall  find  it  flill  harder  to 
£x  precifely  the  boundaries  between  the. goat  kind,  and  die 


S  H  E  E  P  A  N  D  G  O  A  T  K  I  N  D.  43 

deer.  In  nil  t  ran  ilf  ions  from  one  kind  to  the  other,  there  are  to 
be  found  a  middle  race  of  animals,  that  ieem  to  partake  of 
the  nature  of  both,  and  that  can  precifeiy  be  referred  to  nei- 
ther. That  race  of  quadrupeds,  called  the  gazelles,  are  of 
this  kind  ;  they  are  properly  neither  goat  nor  deer,  and  yet  they 
have  many  of  the  marks  of  both  ;  they  make  the  made  betv 
thefe  two  kinds,  and  fill  up  the  chafm  in  nature. 


THE     GAZELLES. 

THE  Gazelles,  of  which  there  are  feveral  kinds,  can,  with 
propriety,  be  referred  neither  to  the  goat  or  the  deer ;  and  yet 
they  partake  of  both  natures.  Like  the  goat,  they  have  hollow 
horns  that  never  fail,  which  is  otherwife  in  the  deer.  They- 
have  a  gali-bladder,  which  is  found  in  the  goat  and  not  in  the 
deer  ;  and,  like  that  animal,  they  feed  rather  upon  fhrubs  than 
.graily  pafture.  On  the  other  hand,  they  refemble  the  roe-buck 
in  fize  and  delicacy  of  form  •,  they  have  deep  pits  under  the 
eyes  like  that  animal ;.  they  refemble  the  roe-buck  in  the  co- 
lour and  nature  of  their  hair  ;  they  refemble  him  in  the  bun- 
ches upon  their  legs,  which  only  differ  in  being  upon  the  fere- 
legs  in  thefe,  and  on  the  hind  legs  m  the  other.  They  feem,. 
therefore,  to  be  of  a  middle  nature  between  thefe  two  kinds  ; 
or,  to  fpeak  with  greater  truth  and  precifion,  they  form  a  dif- 
tincl  kind  by  themfelves- 

The  diflinguifhing  marks  of  this  tribe  of  animals,  by  which 
they  differ  both  from  the  goat  and  deer,  are  thefe  :  their  horns 
are  made  differently,  being  annulated  or  ringed  round,  at  the 
fame  time  that  there  are  longitudinated  depreffions  running 
from  the  bottom  to  the  point.  They  have  bunches  of  hair  upon 
their  fore-legs ;  they  have  a  ftreak  of  black,  red,  or  brown, 
running  along  the  lower  part  of  their  fides,  and  three  flreaks 
of  whitifh  hair  in  the  internal  fide  of  the  ear.  Thefe  are  cha- 
racters that  none  of  them  are  without ;  befides  thefe,  there  are 
others,  which,  in  general,  they  are  found  to  have,  and  which 
*re  more  obvious  to  the  beholder.  Of  all  animals  in  the  world, 


44  A  N  I  M  A  L  S    O  F    T  H  E 

the  gazelle  has  the  mcft  beautiful  eye,  extremely  brilliant,  and 
yet  fo  meek  that  all  the  eailern  poets  compare  the  eyes  of  their 
miftrefles  to  thofe  of  this  animal.  A  gazelle-eyed  beauty  is 
conficlered  as  the  highefl  compliment  that  a  lover  can  pay ; 
and,  indeed,  the  Greeks  themfelves  thought  it  no  inelegant 
piece  of  flattery  to  referable  the  eyes  of  a  beautiful  woman  to 
thofe  of  a  cow.  The  gazelle,  for  the  moil  part,  is  mere  deli- 
cately and  finely  limbed  than  even  the  roe-buck ;  its  hair  is  as 
fhort,  but  fine  and  more  glofly.  Its  hinder  legs  are  longer  thau 
thofe  before,  as  in  the  hare,  .which  gives  it  greater  fecurity  ii> 
afcending  or  defcending  fteep  places.  Their  fwiftnefs  is  equal, 
if  not  fuperior,  to  that  cf  the  roe  ;  but  as  the  latter  bounds  for- 
v.  aid,  fo  thefe  run  along  in  an  even,  uninterrupted  courfe.  Moil 
of  them  are  brown  upon  the  back,  v.hite  under  the  belly,  with 
a  black  ftripe,  fepararfng  tho'e  colours  between.  Their  tail  is  of 
various  lengths,  but  in  all  covered  with  pretty  long  hair ;  and 
their  ears  are  beautiful,  well  placed,  and  terminating  in  a  point. 
They  all  have  a  cloven  hoof,  like  the  fheep  \  they  all  have  per- 
manent horns  ;  and  the  female  has  them  fmaller  than  the  male. 

Of  thefe  animals,  mr.  BufFon  makes  twelve  varieties  ;  which, 
however,  are  much  fev  er  than  what  other  naturalifts  have  made 
them.  The  rrril  is  the  gazella,  properly  fo  called,  which  is  of- 
the  fize  of  the  roe-buck,  and  very  much  refembling  it  in  all  the 
proportions  of  its  body,  but  entirely  din-bring,  as  was  faid,  in 
the  nature  and  fain  ion  of  the  horns,  which  are  black  and  hol- 
low, like  thofe  of  the  ram,  or  the  goat,  and  never  fall.  The  fe- 
cond  he  calls  the  kevel,  which  is  rather  lefs  than  tht  former ; 
its  eyes  alfo  fecm  larger  -,  and  its  horns,  inilead  of  being  round, 
are  flatted  on  the  fides,  as  well  in  the  male  as  the  female.  The 
third  he  calls  the  corin,  which  very  much  refembles  the  two 
former,  but  that  it  is  ilill  lefs  than  either.  Its  horns  alfo  are 
fmaller  in  proportion,  fmoother  than  thofe  of  the  other  two, 
and  the  annular  prominences  belonging  to  the  kind  are  fcarce 
difcernible,  and  may  rather  be  called  wrinkles  than  promi- 
nences. Some  of  thefe  animals  are  often  feen  ilreaked  like  the 
tiger.  Thefe  three  are  fuppofed  to  be  of  the  fame  fpecies.  The 
fourth  he  calls  the  zeiran,  the  horns  only  of  which  he  has  fcen  j 


S  H  E  E  P    A  N  D    G  O  A  T  K  I  N  D.  ,- 

which,  from  their  fize,  and  the  defcription  of  travellers,  he 
fuppofes  to  belong  to  a  lar  the  gazelle,  found  in  In- 

dia and  Peiva,  under  ih.it  dene:-..-:-..-..... 

The  fifth  lie  calls  the  koba,  and  the  fixth  the  kob ;  thefe 
two  differ  from  each  other  only  in  fize,  the  former  being  much 
larger  than  the  latter.  The  muzzle  of  thefe  animals  is  much 
longer  than  thofe  of  the  ordinary  gazelle ;  the  head  is  differ- 
cntly  fhaped,  and  they  have  no  depreffions  under  the  eyes. 
The  feventh  he  calls  after  its  Egyptian  name,  the  algazel ; 
which  is  fhaped  pretty  much  like  the  ordinary  gazelle,  except 
that  the  horns  are  mmch  longer,  being  generally  three  feet 
from  the  point  to  the  infertion  ;  whereas,  in  the  common  ga- 
zelle, they  are  not  above  a  foot ;  they  are  fmaller  aifo,  and  ftrai- 
ter,  till  near  the  extremities,  when  they  turn  fhort,  with  a  very 
{harp  flexure  :  they  are  black  and  fmooth,  and  the  annular 
prominences  are  fcarcely  obfervable.  The  eighth  is  called  the 
pazan ;  or,  by  fome,  the  bezoar  goat,  which  greatly  refembles 
the  former,  except  a  fmall  variety  in  their  horns  ;  and  alfo  with 
this  difference,  that  as  the  algazel  feeds  upon  the  plains,  this 
is  only  found  in  the  mountains.  They  are  both  inhabitants  of 
the  fame  countries  and  climate ;  being  found  in  Egypt,  Ara- 
bia, and  Perfia.  This  lafc  is  the  animal  famous,  for  that  con- 
cretion in  the  interlines  or  ftomach,  called  the  oriental  bezoar, 
which  was  once  in  iuch  repute  all  over  the  world  for  its  medi- 
cinal virtues.  The  word  bezoar  is  fuppofed  to  take  its  name 
either  from  the  pazan  or  pazar,  which  is  the  animal  that  pro- 
duces it ;  or  from  a  word  in  the  Arabic  language,  which  iigni- 
fies  antidote,  or  ccunter-poifon.  It  is  a  ft  one  of  a  glazed  black- 
ifli  colour,  fcund  in  the  ftomach,  or  the  inteftines  of  feme  ani- 
mal, and  brought  over  to  us  from  the  Eaft-Indies.  Like  all 
other  animal  concretions,  it  is  found  to  have  a  kind  of  nucle- 
us, or  hard  fubftance  within,  upon  which  the  external  coatings 
were  formed ;  for,  upon  being  fawed  through,  it  is  feen  to 
have  layer  over  layer,  as  in  an  onion.  This  nucleus  is  of  various 
kinds ;  fometimes  the  buds  of  a  (hrub,  fomctimes  a  piece  of 
ftone,  and  fometimes  a  marcafite.  This  ftone  is  from  the  fize 
ef  an  acorn  to  that  of  a  pigeon's  egg ;  the  larger  the  {lone,  the 


4#  A  N  I  M  A  L '  S    O  F    T  H  E 

more  valuable  it  is  held-,  its  price  increafmg,  like  that  of  a 
diamond.  There  was  a  time  when  a  (tone  of  four  ounces  fold 
in  Europe  for  above  two  hundred  pounds ;  but,  at  prefent,. 
the  price  is  greatly  fallen-,  and  they  are  held  in  very  little  efteem.. 
The  bezoar  is  of  various  colours,  fometimes  of  a  blood  colour^ 
fometirnes  of  a  pale  yellow,  and  of  all  the  (hades  between  thefe 
two.  It  is  generally   glofTy,  fmooth,  and  has-  a  fragrant  fmell, 
like  that  of  ambergris,  probably  artfing  from  the  aromatic  ve- 
getables upon  which  the  animal  that  produces  it,  feeds.  It  ha& 
been  given  in  vertigoes,  epileplies,  palpitations  of  the  heart^ 
chclic,  jaundice,  and,  in  thole  places  where  the  dearnefs,  and 
not  the  value  of  medicines,  is  confaltc*  in  almoft  every  dif- 
order  incident  to  man.  In  all,  perhaps,  it.  is  equally  efficacious, 
acting  only  as  an  abforbcnt  powder,  and  poiTefling  virtues  equal- 
to  common  chalk,  or  crabs  claws.  Judicious  phyficians  have, 
therefore  difcarded  it ;  and  this  celebrated  medicine  is  now 
chiefly  con  fumed  in  countries  where  the  knowledge  of  nature 
has  been  but  little  advanced.  "When  this  medicine  was  in  its 
higheft  reputation,  many  arts  were  ufed  to  adulterate  it ;  and 
many  countries  endeavoured  to  find  out  a  bezoar  of  their  own.. 
Thus  we  had  occidental  bezoar,  brought  from  America  ;  Ger- 
man bezoar,  which  has  been  mentioned  before ;  cow  bezoar, 
and  monkey  bezoar.  In  fact,  there  is  fcarce  an  animal,  except 
of  the  carnivorous  kinds,  that  does  not  produce  fome  of  thefe 
.  jtions  in  the  ftomach,  inteilines,  kidneys,  bladder,  and 
even  in  the  heart.  To  thefe,  ignorance  may  impute  virtues  that 
they   do   not   poflefs ;   experience   has   found   but   few  cures 
wrought  by  their   efficacy  :  but  it  is  well  known,  that  they  of- 
ten prove  fatal  to  the  animal  that  boars  them.  Thefe  concre- 
tions are  generally  found  in  cows,  by  their  practice  of  licking 
off  their  hair,  which  gathers  in  the  ftomach  into  the  fhape  of  a 
ball,  acquires  a  furprizing  degree  of  hardnefs,  and  fomctimes 
a  poliih  like  leather.  They  are  often  as  large  as  a  goofe-egg ; 
and,  when  become  too  large  to  pafs,  block  up  the  paflage  of  the 
food,  and  the  animal  dies.  The  fubftance  of  thefe  balls,  how- 
ever, is  different  from  the  bezoar  mentioned  above ;  being  ra- 
ther a  concretion  of  hair  than  of  flone.  There  is  a  bezoar 
found  in  the  gall  bladder  of  a  boar,  and  thence  called  hog  bv> 


SHEEP    AND    GOAT    KIND. 

soar,  in  very  great  efteem  j  but  perhaps  with  as  little  juftice  as 
any  of  the  former.  In  more,  as  already  obferved,  there  is  fearer 
an  animal,  or  fcarce  a  pare  of  their  bodies,  in  .which  concretions 
are  not  formed ;  and  it  is  probable,  as  Buffon  juftly  remarks, 
that  the  bezoar,  fo  much  in  uie  formerly,  \\as  not  the  produc- 
tion of  the  pazar,  or  any  one  animal  only,  bv.t  that  of  the 
-whole  gazelle  kind  ;  who  I  pan  odoriferous  herbs  and 

plants,  gave  this  admirable  e  to  the  accidental  coi- 

tions which  they   arc   found  to  produce.  x  As  this   med'u 
however,  is  but   little  ufed  at  pvefent,   our   curiofity  is  much 
abated,  as  to  the  caufe  of  its  formation.  To  return,  therefore, 
to  the  varieties  in  the<gazelle  tribe,  the  ninth  is  called  the  ran- 
guer,  and  is  a  native  of  Senr  Is   differs  fcmewhat  in 

fliape  and  colour  from  the  reft  ;  but  particularly  in  the  iliapc 
of  its  horns,  which  are  flrait  to  near  the  points,  where  they 
crook  forward,  nearly  in  the  fame  manner  as  in  the  fbammoy 
they  crook  backward.  The  tenth  variety  of  the  gazelle  is  the 
antelope,  fo  well  known  to  the  Englifh,  who  have  given  it  the 
name.  This  animal  is  of  the  fize  of  a  roe-buck,  and  refem- 
bles  the  gazelle  in  many  particulars,  but  differs  in  others  :  it  has 
deeper  eye-pits,  the  horns  are  formed  differently  alfo,  being 
about  fixteen  inches  long,  almofl  touching  each  other  at  the  bot- 
tom, and  fpreading  as  they  rife,  fo  as,  at  their  tips,  to  be  fixteen 
inches  afunder.  They  have  the  annular  prominences  of  their 
kind,  but  not  fo  diftinguifhable  as  in  the  gazelle;  however,- 
they  have  a  double  flexure,  which  is  very  remarkable,  and 
lerves  to  diftinguiih  them  from  all  ethers  of  their  kind. 
the  root  they  have  a  tuft  of  hair,  which  is  longer  than  that  of 
any  part  of  the  body.  Like  others  of  the  fanie  kind,  the  an- 
telope is  brown  on  the  back,  and  white  under  the  belly  ;  but 
thefe  colours  are  not  feparated  by  die  black  ftreak  which  is  to 
be  found  in  all  the  reft  of  the  gazelle  kinds.  There  are  differ- 
ent forts  of  this  animal,  fome  with  lager  horns  than  others,  and 
others  with  lefs.  The  one  which  makes  the  eleventh  variety  in 
the  gazelle  kind,  mr.  Buffon  calls  the  lidme,  which  has  very 
long  horns;  and  the  other,  which  is  the  twelfth  andlaft,  he 
calls  the  Indian  antelope,  the  horns  of  which  are  very  fmall. 

To  thefe  may  be  added  three  or  four  varieties  more,  which 


4S  ANIMALS-  OF   THE 

it  is  not  eafy  to  tell  whether  to  refer  to  the  goat  or  the  gn 
as  they  equally  referable  both.  The  fir  ft  of  thefe  is  the  buba- 
lus,  an  animal  that  feems  to  partake  of  the  mixed  natures  of 
the  cov/,  the  goat,  and  the  deer.  It  refembles  the  flag  in  the 
fize  re  of  its  body,  and  particularly  in  the  fhapc 

of  its  le  it  lias  permanent  horns,  like  the  goat  ;  and 

made  ,ie  of  the  gazelle  kind.  It  alfo  refembles 

that  y-.-.iy  of  living  ;  however,   it  differs  in  the 

make  of  its  herul,  being  exactly  like  the  cow  in  the  length  of 
its  muzzle,  and  in  the  difpofition  of  the  bones  of  the  fcull  ; 
from  which  fimilitude  it  has  taken  its  name.  This  animal  has 
a  narrow,  long  head  ;  the  eyes  are  placed  very  high  ;  the  fore- 
he  :id  fhort  and  narrow  5  the  horns  •permanent,  about  a,  foot 
long,  black,  thick,  annulated,  and  the  rings  of  the  gazelle 
kind  remarkable  large  ;  its  fhoulders  are  very  high,  and  it  has 
a  kind  o:  bunch  on  them,  that  terminates  at  the  neck  ;  the 
tail  is  about  a  foot  long,  and  tufted  \\  ith  hair  at  the  extremi- 
ty. The  hair  of  this  animal  is  remarkable  in  being  thicker  at 
the  middls  than  at  the  root  :  in  all  other  quadrupeds,  except 
the  eik  and  this,  the  hair  tapers  otTfrom  the  bottom  to  the 
point  ;  but  in  thefe,  each  hair  feems  to  fwell  in  the  middle, 
a  nine-pin.  The  bubalous  alfo  refembles  the  elk  in  fize, 
and  the  colour  of  its  (kin  ;  but  thefe  are  the  only  fimilitudes 
between  them  :  as  the  one  has  a  very  large  branching  head, 
of  folid  horns,  that  are  annually  deciduous,  the  other  has  black 
unbranching  hollow  horns  that  never  fall.  The  bubalous  is 
common  enough  in  Barbary,  and  has  often  been  called  by  the 
name  of  the  Barbary  cow,  from  which  animal  it  differs  fo 
widely.  It  partakes  pretty  much  of  the  nature  of  the  antelope  ; 
like  that  having  the  hair  fhort,  the  hide  black,  the  ears  poin- 
ted, and  the  fleih  good  for  food. 

The  fecond  anomalous  animal  of  the  goat  kind,  mr.  Buf- 
fon  calls  the  condoma.  It  is  fuppofed  to  be  equal  in  fize  to 
the  largeft  flag,  but  with  hollow  horns,  like  thofe  of  the  goat 
kind,  and  with  varied  flexures,  like  thofe  of  the  antelope. 
They  are  above  three  feet  long  ;  and,  at  their  extremities, 
about  two  feet  afunder.  All  along  the  back  there  runs  a  white 


SHEEP  AND  GOAT  KIND.  49 

Kft,  which  ends  at  the  infertion  of  the  tail ;  another  of  the 
fame  colour  crofTes  this,  at  the  bottom  of  the  neck,  which  it  . 
entirely  {"unrounds  :  there  are  two  more  of  the  fame  kind  run- 
ning round  the  body,  one  behind  the  fore-legs,  and  the  other 
running  parallel  to  it  before  the  hinder.    The  colour  of  the 
reft  of  the  body  is  greyifh,  except  the  belly,  which  is  white  : 
it  has  alfo  a  long  grey  beard  5  and  its  legs,  though  long,  are* 
well  proportioned. 

The  third  that  may  be  mentioned,  he  calls  the  guiba.  It 
refembles  the  gazelles  in  every  particular,  except  in  the  co- 
lour of  the  belly,  which,  as  we  have  feen,  is  white  in  them, 
but  in  this  is  of  a  deep  brown.  Its  horns  alfo  are  not  marked 
with  annular  prominences,  but  are  fmooth  and  polimed.  It 
is  alfo  remarkable  for  white  lifts,  on  a  brown  ground,  that 
are  difpofed  along  the  animal's  body,  as  if  it  were  covered 
with  a  harnefs.  Like  the  former,  it  is  a  native  of  Africa. 

The  African  wild  goat  of  Grimmius  is  the  fourth.  It  is  of 
a  dark  am  colour ;  and  in  the  middle  of  the  head  is  a  hairy 
tuft,  (landing  upright  ;  on  both  fides,  between  the  eyes  and 
the  nofe,  there  are  very  deep  cavities,  greater  than  thofe  of 
the  other  kinds,  which  contain  a  yellow  oily  kind  of  liquor, 
which  coagulates  into  a  bi.  j,  that  has  a  fmell  be- 

tween muik  and  civet.  This  being  taken  away,  the  liquor  again 
runs  out,  and  coagulates,  as  before.  Theie  Cavities  have  no 
communication  with  the  eyes,  and,  confequently,  this  oozing 
fubftance  can  have  nothing  of  the  nature  of  tears. 

To  this  we  may  add  the  chevrotin,  or  little  Guinea  deer, 
which  is  the  leaft  of  all  cloven-footed  quadrupeds,  and  per- 
haps the  moft  beautiful ;  its  legs,  at  the  (mailed  part,  are  not 
much  thicker  than  the  (hank  of  a  tobacco  pips  ;  it  is  about 
feven  inches  high,  and  about  twelve  from  the  point  of  the 
nofe  to  the  infertion  of  the  tail.  It  is  the  moft  delicately  fhap- 
ed  animal  in  the  world,  being  completely  formed  like  a  flag 
in  miniature  ;  except  that  its  horns,  when  it  has  any,  art- 
more  of  the  gazelle  kind,  being  hollow  and  annulated  in  the 
fame  manner.  It  has  two  canine  teeth  in  the  ur 

VOL.  II.  G 


5°  ANIMALS  OF  THE 

which  refpeft  it  d lifers  from  all  other  animals  of  the  goat  or 
•  deer  kind,  and  thus  makes  a  fpecies  entirely  diftinft  by  itfelf, 
This  wonderful  animal's  colour  is  not  lefs  pleating  j  the  hair, 
which  is  fhort  and  gloffy,  being  in  fome  a  beautiful  yellov/, 
except  on  the  neck  and  belly,  which  is  white.  They  are  na- 
tives of  India,  Guinea,  and  the  warm  climates  between  the 
tropics  ;  and  are  found  in  great  plenty.  But  though  they  are 
amazingly  fwift  for  their  fize,  yet  the  Negroes  often  overtake 
them  in  the  purfuit,  and  knock  them  down  with  their  flicks, 
They  may  be  eafily  tamed,  and  then  they  become  familiar  and 
pleaiing  ;  but  they  are  of  fuch  delicate  conftitutions,  that  they 
can  bear  no  climate  but  the  hotteft ;  and  they  always  perifli 
with  the  rigours  of  ours,  when  they  are  brought  over.  The 
male  in  Guinea  has  horns  ;  the  female  is  without  any  ;  as  are 
all  the  kinds  of  this  animal,  to  be  found  either  in  Java  or  Cey- 
lon, where  they  chiefly  abound. 

Such  is  the  lift  of  the  gazelles  j  all  which  pretty  nearly  rc- 
femble  the  deer  in  form,  and  delicacy  of  fhape  ^  but  have  the 
horns  hollow,  fingle  and  permanent,  like  thofe  of  the  goat. 
They  properly  fill  up,  as  has  been  already  obferved,  the  inter- 
val between  thefe  two  kinds  of  animals  ;  fo  that  it  is  difficult 
to  tell  where  the  goat  ends,  and  the  deer  may  be  faid  to  begin. 
If  we  compare  the  gazelles  with  each  other,  we  (hall  find  but 
very  flight  diftin&ions  between  them.  The  turn  or  the  magni- 
tude of  the  horns,  the  different  fpots  on  the  fkin,  or  a  difference 
of  fize  in  each,  are  chiefly  the  marks  by  which  their  varieties 
are  to  be  known  j  but  their  way  of  living,  their  nature,  and 
their  peculiar  fwiftnefs,  all  come  under  one  defcription. 

The  gazelles  are,  in  general,  inhabitants  of  the  warmer 
climates  ;  and  contribute,  among  other  emborllifhments,  to 
add  beauty  to  thofe  forefts  that  are  forever  green.  They  are 
often  fcen  feeding  in  herds,  on  the  fides  of  the  mountain,  or 
in  the  fhade  of  the  woods  ;  and  fly  all  together,  upon  the 
fmalleft  approaches  of  danger.  They  bound  with  fuch  fwift- 
nefs, and  are  fo  very  fhy,  that  dogs  or  men  vainly  attempt  to 
purfue  them.  They  traverfe  thofe  precipices  with  eafe  and 
7,  which  to  every  quadruped  elfc  are  quite  impracticable,  j 


SHEEP  AND  GOAT  KIND.  51 

nor  can  any  animals,  but  of  the  winged  kind,  overtake  them. 
Accordingly,  in  all  thofe  countries  where  they  are  chiefly 
found,  they  are  purfued  by  falcons  ;  and  this  admirable  man- 
ner of  hunting,  makes  one  of  the  principal  amufements  of  the 
upper  ranks  of  people  all  over  the  eaft. 

The  Arabians,  Perfians,  and  Turks,  breed  up  for  this  pur- 
pofe,  that  kind  of  hawk  called  the  falcon  gentle,  with  which, 
when  properly  trained,  they  go  forth  on  horfeback  among  the 
foreils  and  the  mountains,  the  falcon  perching  upon  the  hand 
of  the  hunter.  Their  expedition  is  conducted  with  profound 
filence  ;  their  dogs  are  taught  to  hang  behind  ;  while  the  men, 
on  the  fleeted  courfers,  look  round  for  the  game.  Whenever 
they  fpy  a  gazelle  at  the  proper  diftance,  they  point  the  falcon 
to  its  object,  and  encourage  it  to  purfue.  The  falcon,  with 
the  fwiftnefs  of  an  arrow,  flies  to  the  animal  9  that,  knowing 
its  danger,  endeavours,  but  too  late,  to  efcape.  The  falcon 
foon  coming  up  with  its  prey,  fixes  its  talons,  one  into  the 
animal's  cheek,  the  other  into  its  throat,  and  deeply  wounds 
it.  On  the  other  hand,  the  gazelle  attempts  to  efcape,  but 
is  generally  wounded  too  deep  to  run  far.  The  falcon 
clings  with  the  utmoft  perfeverance,  nor  ever  leaves  its  prcr 
till  it  falls ;  upon  which  the  hunters  from  behind  approach- 
ing, take  up  both,  and  reward  the  falcon  with  the  blood  of 
the  fpoil.  They  alfo  teach  the  young  ones,  by  applying  them 
to  the  dead  animal's  throat,  and  accuftoming  diem  betimes  to 
fix  upon  that  particular  part ;  for,  if  it  mould  happen  that  the 
falcon  fixed  upon  any  other  part  of  the  gazelle,  either  its  back 
or  its  haunches,  the  animal  would  eafily  efcape  among  the 
mountains,  and  the  hunter  would  alfo  lofe  his  falcon. 

They  fometimes  alfo  hunt  thefe  animals  with  the  ounce. 
This  carnivorous  and  fierce  creature  being  made  tame  and 
domeftic,  generally  fits  on  horfeback  behind  the  hunter,  and 
remains  there  with  the  utmoft  compofure,  until  the  gazelle 
is  fhown  ;  it  is  then  that  it  exerts  all  its  arts  and  fiercenefs  ; 
it  does  not  at  once  fly  at  its  prey,  but  approaches  flily,  turn- 
ing and  winding  about  until  it  comes  within  the  proper  dif- 
tance, when,  all  at  once,  it  bounds  upon  the  heedlefc  animal, 


52  AN  HISTORY  OF  THE 

and  inftantly  kills  it,  and  fucks  its  blood.  If,  on  the  other 
hand,  it  mifies  its  aim,  it  refts  in  its  place,  without  attemp- 
ting to  purfue  any  farther,  but  feems  afhamed  of  its  own  in- 
ability. -^ 

There  is  ftill  another  way  of  taking  the   gazelle,  which 
feems  not  fo  certain,  nor  fo  amufing  as  either  of  the  for- 
mer.    A  tame   gazelle  is  bred  up  for  this  purpofe,  who  is 
taught  to  join   thofe  of  its  kind,  wherever  it  perceives  them. 
When  the  hunter,  therefore,  perceives  a  heard  of  thefe  to- 
gether, he  fixes  a  noofe  round  the  horns  of  the   tame  ga- 
zelle, in  fuch  a  manner,   that  if  the  reft  but  touch  it,  they 
are  entangled  j  and  thus  prepared,  he  fends  his  gazelle  among 
the  reft.  The  tame  animal  no  fooner  approaches,  but  the  males 
%  of  the  herd  inftantly  fally  forth  to  oppofe  him  ;  and,   in  but- 
ting with  their  horns,  are  caught  in  the  noofe.    In  this,  both 
ftruggling  for  fome  time,  fall  together  to  the  ground ;  and,  at 
laft,  the  hunter  coming  up,  difengages  the  one,  and  kills  the. 
ether.  Upon  the  whole,  however,  thefe  animals,  whatever  be 
the  arts  ufed  to  purfue  them,  are  very  difficult  to  be  taken. 
As  they   are   continually  fubjecl:  to  alarms  from  carnivorous 
beafts,  or  from  man,  they  keep  chiefly  in  the  moft  folitary 
and  inacceffible   places,   and  find  their  only  protection  from 
fituations  of  the  greateft  danger. 


CHAP.       IV. 

Of  the  Mujk  Animal. 

THE  more  we  fearch  into  nature,  the  more  we  fhall  find 
how  little  flie  is  known  ;  and  \ve  (hall  more  than  once 
have  occanon  to  find,  that  protra&ed  enquiry  is  more  apt  to 
teach  us  modefty,  than  to  produce  information.  Although  the 
number  and  nature  of  quadrupeds,  at  firft  glance,  feems  very 
little  known  ;  yet,  when  we  come  to  examine  clofer,  \ve  find 
fome  with  which  we  are  very  partially  acquainted,  and  Bothers 
that  are  utterly  unknown.  There  is  fcarce  a  cabinet  of  the  cu- 
rious, but  what  has  the  fpoils  of  animals,  or  the  horns  of  the 


PhtU-X 


MUSK  ANIMAL.  53 

hdofs  of  quadrupeds,  which  do  not  come  within  former  de- 
fcriptions.  There  is  fcarce  a  perfon  whofe  trade  is  to  drefs  or 
improve  furs,  but  knows  feveral  creatures  by  their  (kins,  which 
no  naturalift  has  hitherto  had  notice  of.  But,  of  all  quadru- 
peds, there  is  none  fo  juftly  the  reproach  of  natural  hiftorians, 
as  that  which  bears  the  mufk.  This  perfume,  fo  well  known 
to  the  elegant,  and  fo  very  ufeful  in  the  hands  of  the  phyfi- 
cian,  a  medicine  that  has,  for  more  than  a  century,  been  im- 
ported from  the  eaft  in  great  quantities,  and  during  all  that 
time,  has  been  improving  in  its  reputation,  is,  neverthelefs,  fo 
very  little  understood,  that  it  remains  a  doubt  whether  the 
animal  that  produces  it,  be  a  hog,  an  ox,  a  goat,  or  a  deer. 
When  an  animal  with  which  we  are  fo  nearly  connected,  is 
fo  utterly  unknown,  how  little  muft  we  know  of  many  that 
are  more  remote  and  unferviceable  !  Yet  naturaliits  proceed 
in  the  fame  train,  enlarging  their  catalogues  and  their  names, 
without  endeavouring  to  find  out  the  nature,  and  fix  the  pre- 
cife  hiftory,  of  thofe  with  which  we  are  very  partially  acquain- 
ted. It  is  the  fpirit  of  the  fcholars  of  the  prefent  age,  to  be 
fonder  of  increafing  the  bulk  of  our  knowledge  than  its  utili- 
ty; of  extending  their  conquefts,  than  of  improving  their  em- 
pire. 

The  mufk,  which  comes  to  Europe,  is  brought  over  in  fmall 
bags,  about  the  fize  of  a  pigeon's  egg,  which,  when  cut  open, 
appear  to  contain  a  kind  of  dufky  reddifh  fubftance,  like  co- 
agulated blood,  and  which,  in  large  quantities,  has  a  vsry 
ftrong  fmell  j  but  when  mixed  and  diffufed,  becomes  a  very 
agreeable  perfume.  Indeed,  no  fubftance  now  known  in  the 
world,  has  a  Stronger  or  a  more  permanent  fmell.  A  grain  of 
mu(k  perfumes  a  \\hole  room ;  and  its  odour  continues  for 
fome  days,  without  diminution.  But,  in  a  larger  quantity,  it 
continues  for  years  together ;  and  feems  fcarce  waited  in  its 
weight,  although  it  has  filled  the  atmofphere  to  a  great  dif- 
tance  with  its  parts.  It  is  particularly  ufed  in  medicine,  in  ner- 
vous and  hyfteric  diforders  -,  and  is  found,  in  fuch  cafes,  to 
be  the  moft  powerful  remedy  nov:  in  ufe  :  however,  the  ani- 


54  AN  HISTORY  OF  THE 

mal  that  furnifhcs  this  admirable  medicine,  has  been  -very  va- 
rioufly  defcribed,  and  is  known  but  very  imperfectly. 

The  defcription  given  of  this  animal  by  Grew,  is  as  fol- 
lows. The  muik  animal  is  properly  neither  of  the  goat  nor 
deer  kind,  for  it  has  no- horns,  and  it  is  uncertain  whether  it 
ruminates  or  not  ;  however,  it  wants  the  fore  teeth  in  the 
upper  jaw,  in  the  fame  manner  as  in  ruminating  animals  •,  but, 
at  the  fame  time,  it  has  tufks  like  thofe  of  a  hog.  It  is  three 
feet  fix  inches  in  length,  from  the  head  to  the  tail ;  and  the 
head  is  above  half  a  foot  long.  The  fore  part  of  the  head  is 
like  that  of  a  grey-hound  ;  and  the  ears  are  three  inches  long, 
and  ere£r,  like  thofe  of  a  rabbit  j  but  the  tail  is  not  above  two 
inches.  It  is  cloven  footed,  like  beafts  of  the  goat  kind  ;  the 
hair  on  the  head  and  legs  is  half  an  inch  long,  on  the  belly 
an  inch  and  a  half,  and  on  the  back  and  buttocks  three  inches, 
and  proportion  ably  thicker  than  in  any  other  animal.  It  is 
brown  and  white  alternately,  from  the  root  to  the  point ;  on  the 
head  and  thighs  it  is  brown,  but  under  the  belly  and  tail  white, 
and  a  little  curled,  efpecially  on  the  back  and  belly.  On  each 
fide  of  the  lower  jaw,  under  the  corners  of  the  mouth,  there 
is  a  tuft  of  thick  hair,  which  is  ihort  and  hard,  and  about  three 
quarters  of  an  inch  long.  The  hair,  in  general,  of  this  animal, 
is  remarkable  for  its  foftnefs  and  fine  texture",  but,  what  dif- 
tinguifties  it  particularly,  are  the  tuflcs,  which  are  an  inch  and 
a  half  long,  and  turn  back  in  the  form  of  a  hook  ;  and  more 
particularly  the  bag  which  contains  the  mufk,  which  is  three 
inches  long,  two  broad,  and  ftands  out  from  the  belly  an  inch 
and  a  half.  It  is  a  very  fearful  animal,  and,  therefore,  it  has 
long  ears  j  and  the  fenfe  of  hearing  is  fo  quick,  that  it  can 
difcover  an  enemy  at  a  great  diflance. 

After  fo  long  and  circumftantial  a  defcription  of  this  ani- 
mal, its  nature  is  but  very  little  known  j  nor  has  any  anato- 
mift  as  vet  examined  its  internal  ftru&ure  ;  or  been  able  to 
inform  us  whether  it  be  a  ruminant  animal,  or  one  of  the  hog 
kind  ;  how  the  muflc  is  formed,  or  whether  thofe  bags,  in 
which  it  comes  to  us,  be  really  belonging  to  the  animal,  or 
are  only  the  fophiftications  of  the  vendres.  Indeed,  when  we 


MUSK  ANIMAL.  55 

%-onfider  the  irnmenfe  quantities  of  this  fubftance  which  are 
confumed  in  Europe  alone,  not  to  mention  the  eaft,  where  it 
is  in  (till  greater  repute  thaji  here,  we  can  hardly  fuppofe  that 
any  one  animal  can  furnith  the  fupply  •,  and  particularly  when 
it  muft  be  killed  before  the  bag  can  be  obtained.  We  are  told, 
it  is  true,  that  the  mufk  is  often  depofited  by  the  animal  upon 
rrees  and  Hones,  againfb  which  it  rubs  itfelf  when  the  quan- 
tity becomes  uneafy  ;  but  it  is  not  in  that  form  which  we  re- 
ceive it,  but  always  in  what  fe<"ms  to  he  its  own  natural  blad- 
der. Of  thtu,  Tavemer  brought  home  near  two  thoufand  in 
one  year  ;  and,  as  the  animal  is  wild,  fo  many  mud,  during 
that  fpace,  have  been  hunted  and  taken.  But  as  the  cre?<ture 
is  prefented  very  iliy,  and  as  it  is  found  but  in  forne  particu- 
lar provinces  of  the  eaft,  the  wonder  is  how  its  bag  fhould  be 
fo  cheap,  and  furnimed  in  fuch  great  plenty.  The  bag  in  com- 
mon does  not  coft  (if  I  do  not  forget)  above  a  crown  by  re- 
tail, and  yet  this  is  fuppofed  the  only  one  belonging  to  the 
animal  ;  and  for  the  obtaining  of  which,  it  mud  have  been 
hunted  and  killed.  The  only  way  of  folving  this  difficulty,  is 
to  fuppofe  that  thfffe  bags  are,  in  a  great  meafure,  counterfeit, 
taken  from  fome  other  animal,  or  from  fome  part  of  the  fame, 
filled  with  its  blood,  and  a  very  little  of  the  perfume,  but 
enough  to  impregnate  the  reft  with  a  ftrong  and  permanent 
odour.  It  comes  to  us  from  different  parts  of  the  eaft  ;  from 
China,  Tonquin,  Bengal,  and  often  from  Mufcovy  :  that  of 
Thibet  is  reckoned  the  beft,  and  fells  for  fourteen  millings  an 
ounce  ;  that  of  Mufcovy  the  worft,  and  fells  but  for  three  ; 
the  odour  of  this,  though  very  ftrong  at  firft,  being  quickly 
found  to  evaporate. 

Mulk  was  fome  years  ago  in  the  higheft  requeft  as  a  per- 
fume, and  but  little  regarded  as  a  medicine  ;  but  at  prefent 
its  reputation  is  totally  changed ;  and  having  been  found  of 
great  benefit  in  phyfic,  it  is  but  little  regarded  for  the  pur- 
pofes  of  elegance.  It  is  thus  that  things  which  become  nccef- 
fary,  ceafe  to  continue  pleating  ;  and  the  confcioufnefs  of 
their  ufe.,  deftrov  :-werof  adrmnifterinj  delight. 


56  ANIMALS  OF  THE 

CHAR         V. 

Animals  of  tks  Deer  Kind. 

IF  we  compare  the  flag  and  the  bull  as  to  fhape  and 
form,  no  two  animals  can  be  more  unlike  •,  and  yet,  if  we 
examine  their  internal  ftrufture,  we  (hall  find  a  ftriking  fimili- 
tude  between  them.  Indeed,  their  differences,  except  to  a  nice 
obferver,  will  fcarcely  be  perceivable.  All  of  the  deer  kind 
want  the  gall-bladder  ;  their  kidnies  are  formed  differently  ; 
their  fpleen  is  alfo  proportionably  larger  ;  their  tail  is  (horter  ; 
and  their  horns,  which  are  folid,  are  renewed  every  year. 
Such  are  the  flight  internal  difcriminations  between  two  ani- 
mals, one  of  which  is  among  the  fwifteft,  and  the  other  the  hea- 
vieft  of  the  brute  creation. 

The  flag  is  one  of  thofe  innocent  and  peaceable  animals 
that  feems  made  to  embellifti  the  forefl,  and  animates  the  foli- 
tudes  of  nature.  1  he  eafy  elegance  of  his  form,  the  lightnefs 
of  his  motions,  thofe  large  branches  that  feem  made  rather 
for  the  ornament  of  his  head  than  its  defence,  the  fize,  the 
ftrength,  and  the  fwiftnefs  of  this  beautiful  creature,  all  fuf- 
ficiently  rank  him  among  the  firft  of  the  quadrupeds,  among 
the  mofl  noted  objects  of  human  curiofity. 

The  flag,  or  hart,  whofe  female  is  called  a  hind,  and  the 
young  a  calf,  differs  in  fize  and  in  horns  from  a  fallow  deer. 
He  is  much  larger,  and  his  horns  are  round  ;  whereas,  in  the 
fallow  kind,  they  are  broad  and  palmated.  By  thefe  the  animal's 
is  known.  The  firft  year,  the  flag  has  no  horns,  but  a 
horny  excrefcence,  which  is  fhort,  rough,  and  covered  with  a 
thin  hairy  fkin.  The  next  year  the  horns  are  fingle  and  flraight; 
the  third  year  they  have  two  antlers,  three  the  fourth,  four  the 
fifth,  and  five  the  fixth  ;  this  number  is  not  always  certain,  for 
fomctimes  there  are  more,  and  often  lefs.  When  arrived  at 
the  fixth  year,  the  antlers  do  not  always  increafe-,  and,  although 


DEER    KIND.  57 

the  number  may  amount  to  fix.  or  feven  on  each  fide,  yet  the 
animal's  age  is  then  eftimated  rather  from  the  fize  of  the  ant- 
lers, and  the  thicknefs  of  the  branch  which  fuftains  them,  than 
from  their  variety. 

Thefe  horns,  large  as  they  feem,  are,  notwithftanding,  fried 
every  year,  and  new  ones  come  in  their  place.  The  old  horns 
are  of  a  firm,  folid  texture,  and  ufually  employed  in  making 
handles  for  knives  and  other  domeftic  utenfils.  But,  while 
young,  nothing  can  be  more  foft,  or  tender  ;  and  the  animal, 
as  if  confcious  of  his  own  imbecility,  at  thofe  times,  inftantly, 
upon  fhedding  his  former  horns,  retires  from  the  reft  of  his  fel- 
lows, and  hides  himfelf  infolitudes  and  thickets,  never  venturing 
out  to  pafture,  except  by  night.  During  this  time,  which  moft 
ufually  happens  in  the  fpring,  the  new  horns  are  very  painful, 
and  have  a  quick  fenfibility  of  any  external  impreiTion.  The  flies 
alfo  are  extremely  troublefcme  to  him.  When  the  old  horn  is 
fallen  off,  the  new  does  not  begin  immediately  to  appear  ;  but 
the  bones  of  the  Ikull  are  feen  covered  only  with  a  tranfparent 
periofleum,  or  fkin,  which,  as  anatomifts  teach  us,  covers  the 

bones  ot  all  arjisatilfL   After  a  fhort  time,  however,  this  ikin  be- 

m 

gins  to  fwell,  and  to  form  a  foft  tumour,  which  contains  a  great 
deal  of  blood,  and  which  begins  to  be  covered  with  a  downy 
fubftance,  that  has  the  feel  of  velvet,  and  appears  nearly  of  the 
fame  colour  with  the  reft  of  the  animal's  hair.  This  tumour 
every  day  buds  forward  from  the  point,  like  the  graft  of  a  tree; 
and,  rifmg  by  degrees  from  the  head,  moots  out  the  antlers  on 
cither  fide,  fo  that,  in  a  few  days,  in  proportion  as  the  animal  is 
in  condition,  the  whole  head  is  completed.  However,  as  was 
faid  above,  in  the  beginning,  its  confidence  is  very  foft,  and  has 
a  fort  of  bark,  which  is  no  more  than  a  continuation  of  the 
integument  of  the  fkull.  It  is  velveted  and  downy,  and  every 
\vhere  furnifhed  with  blood-vefTels,  that  fupply  the  growing 
horns  with  nourifhment.  As  they  creep  along  the  fides  of  true 
branches,  the  print  is  marked  over  the  whole  furface ;  and  the 
larger  the  blood-vefTels,  the  deeper  thefe  marks  are  found  to 
be  ;  from  hence  arifes  the  inequality  of  the  furface  of  the  deer's 
horns ;  which,  as  we  fee,  are  furrowed  all  along  the  fides,  the 
VOL.  II.  H 


5*  ANIMALS    OF   THE 

impreffions  diminifiirng  towards  the  point,  where  the  fubftance 
is  as  fmooth  and  as  folid  as  ivory.  But  it  ought  to  be  obferved, 
that  this  fubftance,  of  which  the  horns  are  compofed,  begins 
to  harden  at  the  bottom,  while  the  upper  part  remains  foft,  and 
ftill  continues  growing  ;  from  whence  it  appears  that  the  horns 
grow  differently  in  deer  from  thofe  of  fheep  or  cows  •,  in  which 
they  are  always  feen  to  increaie  from  the  bottom.  However, 
when  the  whole  head  has  received  its  full  growth,  the  extremi- 
ties then  begin  to  acquire  their  folidity  •,  the  velvet  covering, 
or  bark,  with  its  blood-veffels,  dry  up,  and  then  begin  to  fall ; 
and  this  the  animal  haftens,  by  rubbing  its  antlers  againft  every 
tree  it  meets.  In  this  manner,  the  whole  external  furface  be- 
ing dripped  off  by  degrees,  at  length  the  whole  head  acquires 
its  complete  hardnefs,  expanfion,  and  beauty. 

It  would  be  a  vain  tafk  to  enquire  into  the  caufe  of  the  ani- 
mal production  of  thefe  horns ;  it  is  fufficient  to  obferve,  that 
if  a  flag  be  caftrated  when  its  horns  are  fallen  off,  they  will  ne- 
ver grow  again  :  and,  on  the  contrary,  if  the  fame  operation  is 
performed  when  they  are  on,  they  will  never  fall  off.  If  only  one 
of  his  teflicles  are  taken  out,  he  will  want  the  horn  on  that  fide ; 
if  one  of  the  teflicles  only  be  tied  up,  he  will  want  the  horn  of 
the  oppofite  fide.   The  increafe  of  their  provifion  alfo  tends  to 
facilitate  the  growth  and  expanfion  of  the  horns*,  and  mr.Buffon 
thinks  it  poffible  to  retard  their  growth  entirely  by  greatly  re- 
trenching their  food*.  As  a  proof  of  this,  nothing  can  be  more 
obvious  than  the  difference  between  a  flag  bred  in  fertile  paflures 
and  undiflurbed  by  the  hunter,  and  one  often  purfued,  and  ill- 
nourifhed.  The  fromer  has  his  head  expanded,  his  antlers  nu- 
merous, and  the  branches  thick  :  the  latter  has  but  few  antlers, 
the  traces  of  the  blood  veffels  upon  them  are  but  flight,  and  the 
expanfion  but  little.  Thebeauty  and  fize  of  their  horns,  therefore, 
mark  their  flrength  and  their  vigour;  fuchof  them  as  are  fickly,  or 
have  been  wounded,  never  mooting  out  that  magnificent  profu- 
fion  fo  much  admired  in  this  animal.  Thus,  the  horns  may,  in 
every  refpedl,  be  refembled  to  a  vegetable  fubftance  grafted  up- 

*  BufFon,  vol.  xi.p.ii3. 


D  E  E  R    K  I  N  D.  59 

on  the  head  of  an  animal.  Like  a  vegetable,  they  grow  from  the 
extremities;  like  a  vegetable,  they  are  for  a  while  covered  with 
a  bark  that  nourishes  them  ;  like  a  vegetable,  they  have  their 
annual  production  and  decay :  and  a  ftrong  imagination  might 
fuppofe  that  the  leafy  productions  on  which  the  animal  feeds, 
go  once  more  to  vegetate  in  his  horns.* 

The  (lag  is  ufually  a  twelvemonth  old  before  the  horns  be- 
gin to  appear,  and  then  a  fmgle  branch  is  all  that  is  feen  for 
the  year  enfuing.  About  the  beginning  of  fpring,  all  of  this 
kind  are  feen  to  fhed  rheir  horns,  which  fail  offof  themfelves  , 
though  fometimes  the  animal  afiifts  the  efforts  of  nature  by 
rubbing  them  againft  a  tree.  It  feldom  happens  that  the  branches 
on  both  fides  fall  off  at  the  fame  time,  there  often  being  two  or 
three  days  between  the  dropping  of  the  one  and  the  other. 
The  old  flags  ufually  flied  their  horns  firft ;  wiiich  generally 
happens  towards  the  latter  end  of  February,  or  the  beginning 
of  March.  Thofe  of  the  fecond  head,  namely,  fuch  as  are  be- 
tween five  and  fix  years  old,  fhed  their  horns  about  the  middle, 
or  latter  end  of  March  ;  thofe  ftill  younger,  in  the  month  of 
April  j.  and  the  youngeft  of  all,  not  till  the  middle,  or  the  latter 
end  of  May  ;  they  generally  fhed  them  in  pools  of  water, 
\\hitherthey  retire  from  the  heat  \  and  this  has  given  rife  to 
the  opinion  of  their  always  hiding  their  horns.  Thefe  rules, 
though  true  in  general,  are  yet  fubjedt  to  many  variations  ;  and 
.  univerfally  it  is  known  that  a  fevere  winter  retards  the  {bed- 
ding of  their  horns. 

The  horns  of  the  ftag  generally  increafe  in  thicknefs  and  in 
heighth  from  the  fecond  year  of  its  age  to  the  eighth.  In  this  ftate 
of  perfection  they  continue  during  the  vigour  of  life;  but,  as  the 
animal  grows  old,  the  horns  feel  the  imprefiions  of  age,  and 
flirink  like  the  reft  of  the  body.  No  branch  bears  more  than 
twenty  or  twenty-two  antlers,  even  in  the  higheft  ftate  of  vi- 
gour; and  the  number  isfubjecl:  to  great  variety;  for  it  happens 
that  the  ftag  at  one  year  has  either  lefs  or  more  than  the  year 

*  Mr.  BufFon  has  fuppofed  fomething  like  this, 


6o  ANIMALS    O  F   T  H  E 

preceding,  in  proportion  to  the  goodnefs  of  his  pafturc,  or  the 
continuance  of  his  fecurity,  as  thefe  animals  feldom  thrive 
when  often  rouzed  by  the  hunters.  The  horns  are  alfo  found 
to  partake  of  the  nature  of  the  foil :  in  the  more  fertile  paftures 
they  are  large  and  tender;  on  the  contrary,  in  the  barren  foil, 
they  are  hard,  ftunted,  and  brittle. 

As  foon  as  the  (tags  have  Hied  their  horns,  they  feparate  from 
each  other,  and  fcek  the  plainer  parts  of  the  country,  remote 
from  every  other  animal,  which  they  are  utterly  unable  to  op- 
pofe.  They  then  walk  with  their  heads  (looping  down,  to  keep 
their  horns  from  ftriking  againft  the  branches  of  the  trees 
above.  In  this  ftate  of  imbecility,  they  continue  near  three 
months  before  their  heads  have  acquired  their  full  growth  and 
folidity  ;  and  then,  by  rubbing  them  againft  the  branches  of 
every  thicket,  they  at  length  clear  them  of  the  (kin  which  had 
contributed  to  their  growth  and  nourifhment.  It  is  faid  by 
fome,  that  the  horn  takes  the  colour  of  the  fap  of  the  tree 
againft  which  it  is  rubbed  ;  and  that  fome  thus  become  red, 
when  rubbed  againft  the  heath  ;  and  others  brown,  by  nuV 
bing  againft  the  oak  ;  this,  however,  is  a  miftake,  fmce  flags 
kept  in  parks  where  there  are  no  trees,  have  a  variety  in  the 
colour  of  their  horns,  which  can  be  afcribed  to  nothing  but 
nature. 

A  fhort  time  after  they  have  fumifhed  their  horns,  they  be- 
gin to  feel  the  impreflions  of  the  rut,  or  the  defire  of  copulation. 
The  old  ones  are  the  moft  forward;  and,  about  the  end  of  Au- 
guft,  or  the  beginning  of  September,  they  quit  their  thickets,  and 
return  to  the  mountain  in  order  to  feek  the  hind,  to  whom  they 
call,  with  a  loud  tremulous  note.  At  this  time,  their  neck  is 
fwoln ;  they  appear  bold  and  furious ;  fly  from  country  to  coun- 
try ;  ftrike  with  their  horns  againft  the  trees  and  other  obfta- 
cles,  and  continue  reftlefs  and  fierce  until  they  have  found  the 
female ;  who  at  firft  flies  from  them,  but  is  at  laft  overtaken  and 
compelled.  When  two  flags  contend  for  the  fame  female, 
how  timorous  foever  they  may  appear  at  other  times,  they  then 
feem  agitated  with  an  uncommon  degree  of  ardour.  1  hey  paw 
up  the  earth,  menace  each  other  with  their  horns,  bellow  with 


DEER    KIND.  6r 

ill  their  force,  and,  ftriking  in  a  defperate  manner  agairrft  each 
other,  feem  determined  upon  death  or  victory.   This-  combat 
continues  til]  one  of  them  is  defeated    or  flies ;    and  k  < 
happens  that  the  victor  is  obliged  to  fight  feverai  of  thoie  bat- 
tles before  it  remains  the  undifputed  matter  of  the  held.   Ths 
old  ones  are  generally  the  conquerors  upon  thsfe  occafions,  as 
they  have  more  ftrength  and  greater  courage  ;   and  theie  alfo 
are  preferred  by  the  hind  itfelf  to  the  young  ones,  as  the  i 
are  more  feeble,  and  lefs  ardent.   However,  they  are  all  equally 
inconftant,  keeping  to  the  female  but  a  few  days,  and  then  : 
ing  out  for  another,  not  to  be  enjoyed,  perhaps,  without  a  re- 
petition of  their  former  danger. 

In  this  manner,  the  flag  continues  to  range  from  one  to  the 
other,  for  about  three  weeks,  the  time  the  rut  continues  ;  dur- 
ing which  he  fcarce  eats,  fleeps,  or  refts,  but  continues  to  pur- 
fue,  to  combat,  and  to  enjoy.  At  the  end  of  this  period  of  mad- 
nefs,  for  fuch  in  this  animal  it  feems  to  be,  the  creature  that 
was   before  fat, '  fleek,  and  glofly,  becomes  lean,  feeble,  and 
timid.    He  then  retires  from  the  herd  to  feek  plenty  and  re- 
pofe  ;  he  frequents  the  fide  of  the  foreft,  and  choofes  the  mod 
nouriming  paftures,  remaining  there  till  his  itrengtii  is  renew- 
ed.   Thus  is  his  whole  life  pafled  in  the  alternations  of  plenty 
and  want,  of  corpulence  and  inanition,  of  health  and  ficknefs, 
without  having  his  confliru'don  much  affected  by  the  violence 
of  the  change.     As   he    is   above   five   years  coming  to  per- 
fection, he  lives  about  forty  years ;  and  it  is  a  general  rule, 
that  every  animal  lives  about  feven  or  eight  times  the  number 
of  years  which  it  continues  to  grow.  What,  therefore,  is  repor- 
ted concerning  the  life  of  this  animal,  has  arifcn  from  the  credu- 
lity of  ignorance  :  fome  fay,  that  a  (tag,  having  been  taken  in 
France,  with  a  collar,  on  which  were  written  thefe  \vo~ds, 
"  Cxfar  hoc  me    donavit."    This  was  interpreted  of  Julius 
Cacfar ;   but  it  is  not  confidered  that  Cxfar  is  a  general  name 
for  kings,  and  that  one  of  the  emperors  of  Germany,  who  are 
always  (liled  C^fars,  might  have  ordered  the  infcription. 

This  animal  may  differ  in  the  term  of  his  life,  according  to  the 
goodnefs  of  his  pasture,  or  the  undifturbed  repofe  he  happens 


62  ANIMALS    OF   THE 

to  enjoy.  Thefe  are  advantages  that  influence  not  only  his  age,, 
but  his  iize  and  his  vigour.  The  flags  of  the  plains,  the  val- 
lies,  and  the  little  hills,  which  abound  in  corn  and  pafture,  are 
much  more  corpulent,  and  much  taller  than  fuch  as  are  bred 
on  the  rocky  wafle,  or  the  heathy  mountain.  The  latter  are. 
low,  final],  and  meagre,  incapable  of  going  fo  fwift  as  the  for- 
"  mer,  although  they  are  found  to  hold  out  much  longer.,  They 
are  alfo  more  artful  in  evading  the  hunters ;  their  horns  are 
generally  black  and  ftiort,  while  thofe  of  the  lowland  flags 
are  reddifh  and  flourifliing  ;  fo  that  the  animal  feems  to  in- 
creafe  in  beauty  and  flature  in  proportion  to  the  goodnefs  of 
the  paflure,  which  he  enjoys  in  fecurity. 

The  ufual  colour  of  the  Hag  in  England,  was  red  ;  neverthe- 
lefs,  the  greater  number  in  other  countries  are  brown.  There 
are  fome  few  that  are  white ;  but  thefe  feem  to  have  obtained 
this  colour  in  a  former  ftate  of  clomeflic  tamenefs.  Of  all  the 
animals  that  are  natives  of  this  climate,  there  arc  none  that 
have  fitch  a  beautiful  eye  as  the  flag :  it  is  fparkling,  foft,  and 
fenfible.  His  fenfes  of  fmelling  and  hearing  are  in  no  lefs  per- 
fection. When  he  is  the  Icail  alarmed,  he  lifts  the  head,  and 
ereds  the  ears,  {landing  for  a  few  minutes  as  if  in  a  liflening 
pofture.  Whenever  he  ventures  upon  fome  unknown  ground, 
or  quits  his  native  covering,  he  firft  flops  at  the  fkirt  of  the 
plain  to  examine  all  around  j  he  next  turns  again  ft  the  wind  to 
examine  by  the  fmell  if  there  be  any  enemy  approaching.  If  a 
perfon  fhould  happen  to  whittle  or  call  out,  at  a  diilance,  the 
{lag  is  fcen  to  flop  fhort  in  his  flow-mcafured  pace,  and  gazes 
upon  the  flranger  with  a  kind  of  aukward  admiration  :  if  the 
cunning  animal  perceives  neither  dogs  nor  fire-arms  preparing 
againit  him,  He  goes  forward,  quite  unconcerned,  and  flowly 
proceeds,  without  offering  to  fly.  Man  is  not  the  enemy  he  is 
moil  afraid  of;  on  the  contrary,  he  feems  to  be  delighted 
with  the  found  of  the  fhepherd's  pipe  ;  and  the  hunters 
fometimes  make  ufe  of  that  inftrument  to  allure  the  poor  ani- 
mal to  his  deflruction. 

The  flag  eats  fiowly,   and  is  very  delicate  in  the  choice  of. 
his  pailu-re.  When  he  has  eaten  a  fufHciency,  he  then  retires,  tc-- 


DEER    KIND,  63 

the  covert  of  fome  thicket  to  chew  the    cud  in  fecurity.  His 
rumination,  however,  feems    performed   with  much  greater 
difficulty  than  with  the  cow  or  (heep  -,  for  the  grafs  is  not  re- 
turned from  the  firil  ftomach  without  much  draining,  and  a 
kind  of  hiccup,  which  is  eafily  perceived  during  the  whole  time 
it  continues.  This  mny  proceed  from  the  greater  length  of  his 
neck,  and  the  narrownefs  of  the  pafftge,  all  thofe  of  the   cow 
and  the  fheep  kind  having  it  much  wider. 

This  animal's  voice  is  much  flronger,  louder,  and  more  tre- 
mulous in  proportion  as  he  advances  in  age  •,  in  the  time  of 
rut  it  is  even  terrible.  At  that  feafon,  he  feems  fo  tranfported 
with  paflion,  that  nothing  obftruch  his  fury,  and,  when  at  bay, 
he  keeps  the  dogs  off  with  great  intrepidity.  Some  years  ago, 
the  duke  of  Cumberland  caufed  a  tiger  and  a  (lag  to  be  enclof- 
ed  in  the  fame  area  ;  and  the  flag  made  fo  bold  a  defence,  that 
the  tiger  was  at  laft  obliged  to  fly.  The  flag  feldom  drinks  in 
the  winter,  and  (till  lefs  in  the  fpring,  while  the  plants  are  ten- 
der and  covered  over  with  dew.  It  is  in  the  heat  of  fummer, 
and  during  the  time  of  rut  that  he  is  feen  conftantly  fre- 
quenting the  fide  of  rivers  and  lakes,  as  well  to  flake  his  thirft 
as  to  cool  his  ardour.  He  fwims  with  great  eafe  and  ftrength, 
and  beft  at  thofe  times  when  he  is  fatteit,  his  fat  keeping  him 
buoyant,  like  oil  upon  the  furface  of  the  water.  During  the 
time  of  rut,  he  even  ventures  out  to  fea,  and  fwims  from  one 

ifland  to  another,  although  there   may  be  fome  leagues  dif- 

tance  between  them. 

The  cry  of  the  hind,  or  female,  is  not  fo  loud  as  that  of  the 
male,  and  is  never  excited  but  by  apprehenfion  for  herfelf  or 
her  young.  It  need  fcarce  be  mentioned  that  fhejias  no  horns, 
or  that  ihe  is  more  feeble  and  unfit  for  hunting  than  the  male. 

o 

When  once  they  have  conceived,  they  feparate  from  the  males, 
and  then  they  both  herd  together  apart.  The  time  of  geftation 
continues  between  eight  and  nine  months,  and  they  generally 
produce  but  one  at  a  time.  Their  ufual  feafon  for  bringing  forth 
is  about  the  month  of  May,  or  the  beginning  of  June,  during 
which  they  take  great  care  to  hide  their  young  in  the  molt  ob- 
fcure  thickets :  nor  is  this  precaution  without  reafon,  fince  al- 


64  ANIMALS  OF   THE 

moft  every  creature  is  then  a  formidable  enemy.  The  eagle, 
the  falcon,  the  ofprey,  the  wolf,  the  dog,  and  all  the  rapacious 
family  of  the  cat  kind,  are  in  continual  employment  to  find  out 
her  retreat.  But,  what  is  more  unnatural  Hill,  the  flag  himfelf 
is  a  profefied  enemy,  and  {he  is  obliged  to  ufe  all  her  arts  to  con- 
ceal her  young  from  him  as  from  the  moft  dangerous  of  her  pur- 
fuers.  At  this  feafon,  therefore,  the  courage  of  the  male  feems 
transferred  to  the  female  •,  fne  defends  her  young  againft  her 
lefs  formidable  opponents  by  force  ;  and  when  purfued  by  the 
hunter,  fhe  ever  offers  herfelf  to  miilead  him  from  the  princi- 
pal object  of  her  concern.  She.  flies  before  the  hounds  for  half 
the  day,  and  then  returns  to  her  young,  whofe  life  fhe  has  thus 
preferved  at  the  hazard  of  her  own.  The  calf,  for  fo  the  young 
of  this  animal  is  called,  never  quits  the  dam  during  the  whole 
furnmer ;  and  in  winter,  the  hind,  and  all  the  males  under  a 
year  old,  keep  together  and  aflemble  in  herds,  which  are  more 
numerous  in  proportion  as  the  feafon  is  more  fevere.  In  the 
fpring  they  feparate  ;  the  hinds  to  bring  forth,  while  none  but 
the  year  old  remain  together  \  however,  thefe  animals  are  in 
general  fond  of  herding  and  grazing  in  company  ;  it  is  danger 
or  neceility  alone  that  feparates  them. 

The  dangers  they  have  to  fear  from  other  animals,  are 
nothing  when  compared  to  thofe  from  man.  The  men  of  every 
age  and  nation  have  made  the  chace  of  the  (tag  one  of  their  moft 
favourite  purfuits ;  and  thofe  who  firft  hunted  from  necef- 
fity  have  continued  it  for  amufement.  In  our  own  country  in 
particular,  hunting  was  ever  efteemed  as  one  of  the  principal 
diverfions  of  the  great*.  At  firft,  indeed,  the  beads  of  chace  had 
the  whole  ifland  for  their  range,  and  knew  no  other  limits  than 
thofe  of  the  ocean. 

The  Roman  jurifprudence,  which  was  formed  on  the  man- 
ners of  the  firft  ages,  eftablifhed  it  as  a  law,  that  as  the  natural 
right  of  things,  which  have  no  mafter,  belongs  to  the  firft  pof- 
feflbr,  wild  beads,  birds,  and  fifties,  are  the  property  of  whofo- 
•vcr  could  firft  take  them.  But  the  northern  barbarians,  who, 

*  Britifli  Zoology. 


DEER  KIND.  6j 

©ver-ran  the  Roman  empire>ringing  with  them  the  ftrongeft 
relifh  for  this  amufement,  and,  being  now  pofleffcd  of  more  eafy 
means  of  fubtiftence  from  the  lands  they  had  conquered,  their 
chiefs  and  leaders  began  to  appropriate  the  right  of  hunting, 
and  inftcad  of  a  natural  right,  to  make  it  a  royal  one.  When  the 
Saxon  kings,  therefore,  had  eftablifhed  themfelves  into  an  hep- 
tarchy, the  chaces  were  referved  by  each  fovereign  for  his  own- 
particular  amufement.  Hunting  and  war,  in  thofe  uncivilized 
ages,  were  the  only  employment  of  the  great.  Their  active, 
but  uncultivated  minds,  were  fufceptible  of  no  pleafures  but 
thole  of  a  violent  kind,  fuch  as  gave  exercife  to  their  bodies, 
and  prevented  the  uneafmefs  of  thinking.  But  as  the  Saxon  kings 
only  appropriated    thofe   lands  to  the  bufmefs  of  the    chace 
which  were  unoccupied  before,  fo  no  individuals  received  any 
injury.  But  it  was  otherwife  when  the  Norman  kings  were  fet- 
tled upon  the  throne.  The  paffion  for  hunting  was  then  carried 
to  an  excefs,  and  every  civil  right  was  involved  in  general  ruin* 
This  ardour  for  hunting  was  ftronger  than  the  confideration 
of  religion  even  in  a  fuperftitious  age.  The  village  communi- 
ties, nay,  even  the  mod  facred  edifices,  were  thrown  down, 
and  all  turned  into  one  vaft  wafte,  to  make  room  for  animals, 
the  objects  of  a  lawlefs  tyrant's  pleafure.  Sanguinary  laws  were 
enacted  to  preferve  the  game  ;  and,  in  the  reigns  of  William 
Rufus  and  Henry  the  firit,  it  was  deemed  lefs  criminal  to  de- 
ftroy  one  of  the  human  fpecies  than  a  bead  of  chace.  Thus  it 
tcontinued  while  the  Norman  line  rilled  the  throne  j  but  when 
the  Saxon  line  was  reftored,  under  Henry  the  fecond,  the  rigour 
of  the  foreft  laws  were  foftened.  The  barons  alfo  for  a  long  time 
imitated  the  encroachments,  as  well  as  the  amufements,  of  the 
monarch  ;  but  when  property  became  more  equally  divided, 
by  the  introduction  of  arts  and  induftry,  thefe  extenfive  hunt- 
ing grounds  became  more  limited  ;  and  as  tillage  and  hufban- 
dry  increafed,  the  beads  of  chafe  were  obliged  to  give  way 
to  others  more  ufeful  to  the  community.  Thofe  yaft  tracts  of 
land,  before  dedicated  to  hunting,  were  then  contracted}  and, 
•in  proportion  as  the  ufeful  arts  gained  ground,  they  protected 
and  encouraged  the  labours  of  the  induilrious,  and 
VOL.  II.  I 


66  ANIMALS  OF  THE 

the  Kcentioufnefs  of  the  fportfman.  It  is,  therefore,  among  the 
fubjects  of  a  defpotic  government  only,  that  thefe  laws  remain 
in  full  force,  where  large  waftes  lie  uncultivated  for  the  pur- 
pofes  of  hunting,  where  the  hufbandman  can  find  no  protec- 
tion from  the  invafions  of  his  lord,  or  the  continual  depreda- 
tions of  thefe  animals  which  he  makes  the  objects  of  his  plea- 
fure. 

In  the  prefent  cultivated  ftate  of  this  country,  therefore,  the 
ftag  is  unknown  in  its  wild  natural  ftate  ;  and  fuch  of  them 
as  remain  among  us,  are  kept,  under  the  name  of  red  deer, 
in  parks  among  the  fallow  deer.  But  they  are  become  lefs 
common  than  formerly  ;  its  exceffive  vicioufnefs,  during  the 
rutting  feafon,  and  the  badnefs  of  its  fleih,  inducing  moft  peo- 
ple to  part  with  the  fpecies.  The  few  that  ftill  remain  wild, 
are  to  be  found  on  the  moors  that  border  on  Cornwall  and  De- 
vonfhire ;  and  in  Ireland,  on  the  moft  of  the  large  mountains 
of  that  country. 

In  England,  the  hunting  the  ftag  and  the  buck  are  performed 
in  the  fame  manner ;  the  animal  is  driven  from  fome  gentle- 
man's park,  and  then  hunted  through  the  open  country.  But 
thofe  who  purfue  the  wild  animal,  have  a  much  higher  object, 
as  well  as  a  greater  variety  in  the  chace.  To  let  ioofe  a  crea- 
ture that  was  already  in  our  pofleffion,  in  order  to  catch  it  again, 
is,  in  my  opinion,  but  a  poor  purfuit,  as  the  reward  when  ob- 
tained, is  only  what  we  before  had  given  away.  But  to  purfue 
an  animal  that  owns  no  proprietor,  and  which  he  that  firft 
feizes  may  be  faid  to  poflefs,  has  fomething  in  it  that  feems  at 
lead  more  rational ;  this  rewards  the  hunter  for  his  toil,  and 
fcems  to  repay  his  induftry.  Befides,  the  fuperior  ftrength  and 
fwiftnefs  of  the  wild  animal  prolongs  the  amufement ;  it  is 
pofleffcd  of  more  various  arts  to  efcape  the  hunter,  and  leads 
him  to  precipices  where  the  danger  ennobles  the  chace.  In  pur- 
fuing  the  animal  let  Ioofe  from  a  park,  as  it  is  unufed  to  dan- 
ger, it  is  but  little  verfed  in  the  ftratsgems  of  efcape  j  the  hun- 
ter follows  as  fure  of  over  coming,  and  feels  none  of  thefe  al- 
ternations of  hope  and  fear,  which  arife  from  the  uncertainty 
of  fuccefs.  But  it  is  otherwife  with  the  mountain  ftag  :  having 


DEER  KIND.  67 

fpcnt  his  whole  life  in  a  ftate  of  continual  apprehenfion  •,  hav- 
ing frequently  been  followed,  and  as  frequently  efcaped,  he 
knows  every  trick  to  miflead,  to  confound,  or  intimidate  his 
purfuers;  to  ftimulate  their  ardour,  and  enhance  their  fuccefs. 

Thofe  who  hunt  this  animal,  have  their  peculiar  terms  for 
the  different  objects  of  their  purfuit.  The  profeflbrs  in  every 
art  take  a  pleafure  in  thus  employing  a  language  known  only 
to  themfelves,  and  thus  accumulate  words,  which,  to  the  igno- 
rant, have  the  appearance  of  knowledge.  In  this  manner,  the 
flag  is  called,  the  firft  year,  a  calf  or  hind  calf;  the  fecond  year, 
a  knobber ;  the  third,  a  brock  /  the  fourth,  zjfaggard;  the  fifth, 
zjlags  the  fixth,  a  hart.  The  female  is  called  a  hind;  the  firft 
year  {he  is  a  calf;  the  fecond,  a  hearfe  ;  the  third,  a  hind.  This 
animal  is  faid  to  harbour  in  the  place  where  he  refides.  When 
he  cries,  he  is  faid  to  bell ;  the  print  of  his  hoof  is  called  the 
Jlot ;  his  tail  is  called  the  Jingle ;  his  excrement  the  feiumet; 
his  horns  are  called  his  head ;  when  fimple,  the  firft  year,  they 
are  called  broches  ;  the  third  year,fpears;  the  fourth  year,  that 
part  which  bears  the  antlers  is  called  the  beam,  and  the  little 
impreiFions  upon  its  furface,  glitters ;  thofe  which  rife  from  the 
cruft  of  the  beam,  are  called  pearls.  The  antlers  alfo  have  dif- 
tincl  names  ;  the  firft  that  branches  off  is  called  the  antler ; 
the  fecond,  the  fur  antler  ;  all  the  reft  which  grow  afterwards, 
till  you  come  to  the  top,  which  is  called  the  crown,  are  called 
royal  antlers.  The  little  buds  about  the  tops  are  called  croches. 
The  impreflion  on  the  place  where  the  ftag  has  lain,  is  called 
the  layer.  If  it  be  in  covert  or  a  thicket,  it  is  called  his  harbour. 
When  a  deer  has  patted  into  a  thicket,  leaving  marks  whereby 
his  bulk  may  be  guefTed,  it  is  called  an  entry.  When  they  caft 
their  heads,  they  are  faid  to  meiu.  When  they  rub  their  headg 
againft  trees,  to  bring  off  the  peel  of  their  horns,  they  are  faid 
to  fray.  When  a  ftag  hard  hunted,  takes  to  fwimming  in  the 
water,  he  is  faid  to  go  fail ;  when  he  turns  his  head  againft  the 
hounds,  he  is  faid  to  bay  ;  and  wrhen  the  hounds  purfue  upon 
the  fcent,  until  they  have  unharboured  the  ftag,  they  are  faid 
to  draw  en  the  Jlot. 

Such  are  but  a  few  of  the  may  terms  ufed  by  hunters  in 


<S8  ANIMALS  OF  THE 

purfuing  of  the  flag,  mod  of  which  are  now  laid  afide,  or  in  ufe 
only  among  game^keepers.  The  chace,  however,  is  continued  in 
many  parts  of  the  country  where  the  red  deer  is  preferved, 
and  ftiH  makes  the  amufement  of  fuch  as  have  not  found  out 
rnore  liberal  entertainments.    In   thofe  few  places,  where  the 
jmimal  is  perfectly  wild,  the  amufement,  as  we  faid  above,  is 
fuperior.    The   firfh  great  care  of  the  hunter,   when  he  leads 
out  his  hounds  to  the  mountain  fide,  where  the  deer  are  gene- 
rally known  to  harbour,  is  to  make  choice  of  a  proper  flag  to 
purfue.  His  ambition  is  to  unharbour  the  largeit  and  the  bold- 
eft  of  the  whole  herd  j  and,  for  this  purpofe,  he  examines  the 
track,  if  there  be  any;  which,  if  he  finds  long  and  large,  he  con- 
cludes, that  it  muft  have  belonged  to  a  flag,  and  not  a  hind, 
the  print  of  whofe  foot  is  rounder,  Thofe  marks  alfo  which  he 
leaves  on  trees,  by  the  rubbing  of  his  horns,  mow  his  fize,  and 
point  him   out  as  the  proper  object  of   purfuit.   Now,  to  feek 
out  a  flag  in  his  haunt,  it  is  to  be  obferved.,  that  he  changes  his 
manner  of  feeding  every  month.  From  the  conclufion  of  rut- 
ting-time,  which  is  November,  he  feeds  in  heaths  and  broomy 
places.  In  December  they  herd   together,   and  withdraw  into 
the  ftrength  of  the  foreils,  to  flicker  themfeives  from  the  fe- 
vere  weather,  feeding  on  holm,  elder  trees,  and  brambles.  The 
three  following  months  they  leave  herding,  but  keep   four  or 
five  in  a  company,  and  venture  out  to  the  corners  of  the  foreft, 
where  they  feed  on  winter  paflure,   fometimes  making  their 
incurfions  into  the  neighbouring  corn-fields,  to  feed  upon  the 
tender  moots,  juft  as  they  peep  above  ground.  In  April  and 
May,  they  reft  in  thickets  and  fhady  places,   and  feldom  ven~ 
ture  forth,  unlefs  rouzed  by  approaching  danger.  In  Septem- 
ber and  October,  their  annual  ardour  returns  ;   and  then  they 
leave  the  thickets,  boldly  facing  every  danger,  without  any 
certain  place  for  food  or  harbour.  When,  by  a  knowledge  of 
thefe  circumftances,  the  hunter  has  found  out  the  refidence, 
and  the  quality  of  his  game,  his  next  care  is  to  uncouple  and 
c?.ft  off  his  hounds  in  the  purfuit :  thefe  no  fooner  perceive  the 
timorous  animal  that  flies  before  them,  but  they  all  together 
open  in  full  cry,  purfuing  rather  by  the  fcent  than  the  view,  en- 


DEER  KIND.  fy 

couraging  each  r  ih:r  to  continue  the  chace,  and  tracing  the 
flying  animal  with  the  moPc  amazing  fagacity.  The  hunters  al- 
fo  are  notlefs  ardent  in  their  fpeed  on  horfeback,   cheering  up 
the  dogs,  and  direding  them  where  to  purfue.  On  the  other 
hand,  the  flag,  when  unharboured,  flies  at  firil  with  the  fwifr- 
of  the  wind,  leaving  his  purfuers  fever al  miles  in  the  rear; 
and,  at  length,  having  gained  his  former  coverts,  and.no  longer 
hearing  the  cries  of  the  dogs  and  men  that  he  had  juil  left  be- 
hind, he  flops,  gazes  round  him,  and  feems  to  recover  his  na- 
tural tranquiiity.  But  this  calm  is  of  fhort  duration,  for  his  in- 
veterate purfuers  flowly  and  fecurely  trace  him  along,  and  he 
once  more  hears  the  approaching  deflruclionfrcm  behind.  He 
again,  therefore,  renews  his  efforts  to  efcape,  and  again  leaves 
his  purfuers  at  almoil  the  former  diilance  ;  but  this  fecond  ef- 
fort makes  him  more  feeble  than  before,  and  when  they  come 
up  a  fecond  time,  he  is  unable  to  outftrip  them  with  equal  ve- 
locity. The  poor  animal  now,  therefore,   is  obliged  to  have  re- 
courfe  to  all  his  little  arts  cf  efcape,  which  fomerimes,  though 
but  feldorn,  avail  him.  In  proportion  as  his  flrength  fails  him, 
the  ardour  of  his  purfuers  is  inflamed  ;  he  tracks  more  heavily 
on  the  ground,   and  then  increafmg  the  ftrength  of  the  fcent, 
redoubles  the  cries  of  the  hounds,  and  enforces  their  fpeed. 
It  is  then  that  the  flag  feeks  for  refuge  among  the  herd,  and 
tries  every  artifice  to  put  off  fome  other  head  for  his  own. 
Sometimes  he  will  fend  forth  fome  little  deer  in  his  flead,  in 
the  mean  time  lying  clofe  himfelf,  that  the  hounds  may  over- 
fhoot  him.  He  will  break  into  one  thicket  after  another,  to  find 
deer,  rouzing  them,  gathering  them  together,  and  endeavour- 
ing to  put  them  upon  the  tracks  he  has  made.  His  old  compa- 
nions, however,  with  a  true  fpirit  of  ingratitude,   now  all  for- 
fake  and  fhun  him  with  the  moil  watchful  induflry,   leaving 
the  unhappy  creature  to  take  his  fate  by  himfelf.  Thus  a'oan- 
.  :d  of  his  fellows,  he  again  tries  other  arts,  by  doubling  and 
croiTmg  in  fome  hard  beaten  highway,  where  the  fcent  is  leafl 
perceivable.  He  now  alfo  runs  againfl  the  wind,  not  only  to 
cool  himfelf,  but  the  better  to  hear  the  voice,  and  judge  of  the 
diflance  of  his  implacable  purfuers.  It  is  now  eailly  perceivable 
how  forely  he  is  prefled,  by  his  manner  of  running,  which,  from 


7®  ANIMALS  OF  THE 

the  bounding  eafy  pace  with  which  he  began,  is  converted  into 
a  (lift  and  fhort  manner  of  going ;  his  mouth  alfo  is  black  and 
dry,  without  foam  on  it ;  his  tongue  hangs  out ;  and  the  tears, 
as  fome  fay,  are  feen  ftarting  from  his  eyes.  His  laft  refuge, 
when  every  other  method  of  fafety  has  failed  him,  is  to  take  the 
water,  and  to  attempt  an  efcape  by  crofting  whatever  lake  or  river 
he  happens  to  approach.  While  fwimming,  he  takes  all  poflible 
care  to  keep  in  the  middle  of  the  dream,  left,  by  touching  the 
bough  of  a  tree,  or  the  herbage  on  the  banks,  he  may  give 
fcent  to  the  hounds.  He  is  alfo  ever  found  to  fwim  ag  ainft  the 
ftream  ;  whence  the  huntfmen  have  made  it  into  a  kind  of  pro- 
verb, That  he  that  -Mould  his  chace  find,  mnjl  up  with  the  river 
and  down  with  the  wind.  On  this  occafion  too,  he  will  often 
cover  himfelf  under  water,  fo  as  to  mow  nothing  but  the  tip 
of  his  nofe.  Every  refource,  and  every  art  being  at  length  ex- 
haufted,  the  poor  creature  tries  the  laft  remains  of  his  ftrength, 
by  boldly  oppofing  thofe  enemies  he  cannot  efcape;  he,  there- 
fore, faces  the  dogs  and  men,  threatens  with  his  horns,  guards 
himfelf  on  every  fide,  and,  for  fome  time,  ftands  at  bay.  In  this 
manner,  quite  defperate,  he  furioufly  aims  at  the  firft  dog  or 
man  that  approaches ;  and  it  often  happens,  that  he  does  not 
die  unrevenged.  At  that  time,  the  more  prudent,  both  of  dogs 
and  men,  feem  willing  to  avoid  him,  but  the  whole  pack  quick- 
ly coming  up,  he  is  foon  furrounded  and  brought  down,  and 
the  huntfman  winds  a  treble  mort,  as  it  is  called,  with  his  horn, 

Such  is  the  manner  of  purfuing  this  animal  in  England  ;  but 
every  country  has  a  peculiar  method  of  its  own,  adapted  either 
to  the  nature  of  the  climate,  or  the  face  of  the  foil.  The  an- 
cient manner  was  very  different  from  that  pra&ifed  at  prefent; 
they  ufed  their  dogs  only  to  find  out  the  game,  but  not  to 
rouze  it.  Hence  they  were  not  curious  as  to  the  mufic  of  their 
hounds,  or  the  compofition  of  their  pack  ;  the  dog  that  opened 
before  he  had  difcovered  his  game,  was  held  in  no  eftimation. 
It  was  their  ufual  manner  filently  to  find  out  the  animal's  re- 
treat, and  furround  it  with  nets  and  engines,  then  to  drive 
him  up  with  all  their  cries,  and  thus  force  him  into  the  toils 
which  they  had  previoufly  prepared. 


DEER  KIND.  7* 

In  fucceeding  times  the  fafhion  feemcd  to  alter  ;  and  parti- 
cularly in  Sicily,  the  manner  of  hunting  was  as  follo\\  sj.  The 
nobles  and  gentry  being  informed  which  way  a  herd  of  deer  paf- 
ed,  gave  notice  to  one  another,  and  appointed  a  day  for  hunting. 
For  this  purpofe,  every  one  was  to  bring  a  crofs-bow  or  a  long 
bow,  and  a  bundle  of  ftaves,  (hod  with  iron,  the  heads  bored, 
with  a  cord  palling  thro'  them  all.  Thus  provided,  they  came 
to  where  the  herd  continued  grazing,  and  cafting  them- 
felves  about  in  a  large  ring,  furrounded  the  deer  on  every  fide. 
Then  each  taking  his  ftand,  unbound  his  faggot,  fet  up  his 
ftake,  and  tied  the  end  of  the  cord  to  that  of  his  next  neighbour, 
at  the  diftance  of  about  ten  feet  one  from  the  other.  Between 
each  of  thefe  (lakes  was  hung  a  bunch  of  crimfon  feathers,  and 
fo  difpofed,  that  with  the  lead  breath  of  wind,  they  would 
whirl  round,  and  preferve  a  fort  of  fluttering  motion.  This 
done,  the  perfons  who  fet  up  the  ftaves  withdrew,  and  hid 
themielves  in  the  neighbouring  coverts:  then  the  chief  huntf- 
man,  entering  with  his  hounds  within  the  lines,  rouzed  the 
game  with  a  full  cry.  The  deer,  frighted,  and  flying  on  all  fides, 
upon  approaching  the  lines,  were  feared  away  by  the  fluttering 
of  the  feathers,  and  wandered  about  \\  ithin  this  artificial  pa- 
ling, (till  awed  by  the  fhining  and  fluttering  plumage  that  en- 
circled their  retreat:  the  huntfman,  however,  ftill  purfuing, 
and  calling  every  perfon  by  name,  as  he  pafled  by  their  ftand, 
commanded  him  to  moot  the  firft,  third,  or  iixth,  as  he  pleafed; 
and,  if  any  of  them  miffed,  or  fmgled  out  another  than  that  af- 
figned  him,  it  was  confidered  as  a  moft  fhameful  mifchance.  In 
this  manner,  however,  the  whole  herd  was  at  laft  deftroyed ; 
and  the  day  concluded  with  mirth  and  feafting. 

The  flags  of  China  are  of  a  particular  kind,  for  they  are  not 
taller  than  a  common  houfe  dog ;  and  hunting  them  is  one  of 
the  principal  diverfions  of  the  great.  Their  flefti,  while  young,  is 
exceedingly  good  •,  but  when  they  arrive  at  maturity,  it  begins 
to  grow  hard  and  tough  -y  however,  the  tongue,  the  muzzle, 
and  the  ears,  are  in  particular  efteem  among  tjbat  luxurious 
people.  Their  manner  of  taking  them  is  fingular  enough;  they 

\  Pier.  Hieroglyph,  lib.  rii.  cap.  vi. 


7-  '      ANIMALS  OF  THE 

carry  \vltli  them,  the  heads  of  fome  of  the  females  fluffed.,  and 
learn  exacYly  to  imitate  their  cry  ;  upon  this  the  male  does  not 
fail  to  appear,  and  looking  on  all  fides,  perceives  the  head, 
which  is  all  that  the  hunter,  \vho  is  hirnfelf  concealed,  difco- 
vers.  Upon  their  nearer  approach,  the  whole  company  rife;  fur- 
round,  and  often  take  him  alive. 

There  are  very  few  varieties  in  the  red  deer  of  this  country  *, 
and  they  are  moilly  found  of  the  fame  fize  and  colour.  But  it 
is  otherwife  in  different  parts  of  the  world,  where  they  are  feen 
to  differ  in  form,  in  fize,  in  horns,  and  in  colour. 

The  flag  of  Corfica  is  a  very  fmall  animal,  being  not  above 
half  the  fize  of  thofe  common  among  us.  His  body  is  ihort  and 
thick,  his  legs  fhort,  and  his  hair  of  a  dark  brown. 

There  is  in  the  forefls  of  Germany,  a  kind  of  flag  named 
by  the  ancients  the  tragelaphus,  and  which  the  natives  call  the 
bran-deer,  or  the  brown-deer.  This  is  of  a  darker  colour 
than  the  common  flag,  of  a  lighter  fhade  upon  the  belly,  long 
hair  upon  the  neck  and  throat,  by  which  it  appears  bearded 
like  the  goat. 

There  is  alfo  a  very  beautiful  flag,  which  by  fome  is  faid  to 
be  a  native  of  Sardinia  ;  but  others  (among  whom  is  mr.  Buf- 
fon)  are  of  opinion,  that  it  comes  from  Africa  or  the  Eafl-Indies 
He  calls  it  the  axis,  after  Pliny  j  and  confiders  it  as  making  the 
(hade  between  the  flag  and  the  fallow  deer.  The  horns  of  the 
axis  are  round,  like  thofe  of  the  flag  ;  but  the  form  of  its  body 
entirely  refembles  that  of  the  buck,  and  the  fize  alfo  is  exactly 
the  fame.  The  hair  is  of  four  colours  ;  namely,  fallow,  white, 
black,  and  grey.  The  white  is  predominant  under  the  belly, 
on  the  infide  of  the  thighs,  and  the  legs.  Along  the  back  there 
are  two  rows  of  fpots  in  a  right  line  ;  but  thofe  on  other  parts 
of  the  body  are  very  irregular.  A  white  line  runs  along  each 
fide  of  this  animal,  while  the  head  and  neck  are  grey.  The 
tail  is  black  above,  and  white  beneath ;  and  the  hair  upon  it 
is  fix  inches  long. 

Although  there  are  but  few  individuals  of  the  deer  kind,  yet 
the  race  feems  diffufed  over  all  parts  of  the  earth.  The  new 


DEER  KIND.     *  73 

continent  of  America,  in  which  neither  the  (heep,  the  goat, 
nor  the  gazelle,  have  been  originally  bred,  neverthelefs,  pro- 
duces flags,  and  other  animals  of  the  deer  kind,  in  fufficient 
plenty.  The  Mexicans  have  a  breed  of  white  ftags  in  their 
parks,  which  they  call  ftags  royal  *'.  The  ftags  of  Canada  dif- 
fer from  ours  in  nothing  except  the  fize  of  the  horns,  which 
in  them  is  greater  ;  and  the  direction  of  the  antlers,  which  ra- 
ther turn  back,  than  proje£t  forward,  as  in  thofe  of  Europe. 
The  fame  difference  of  llze  that  obtains  among  our  ftags,  is  al- 
fo  to  be  feen  in  that  country ;  and,  as  we  are  informed  by 
Ruyfch,  the  Americans  have  brought  them  into  the  fame  ftate 
of  doineftic  tamenefs  that  we  have  our  fheep,  goats,  or  black 
cattle.  They  fend  them  forth  in  the  day-time  to  feed  in  the  fo- 
refts  $  and  at  night  they  return  home  with  the  herdfman,  who 
guards  them.  The  inhabitants  have  no  other  milk  but  what  the 
hind  produces  •,  and  ufe  no  other  cheefe  but  what  is  made  from 
thence.  In  this  manner,  we  find,  that  an  animal,  which  feems 
made  only  for  man's  amufement,  may  be  eafily  brought  to  fup- 
ply  his  neceflities.  Nature  has  many  (lores  of  happinefs  and 
plenty  in  referve,  which  only  want  the  call  of  induftry  to  be 
produced,  and  now  remain  as  candidates  for  human  appro- 
bation. 


THE    FALLOW     DEER. 


N  O  two  animals  can  be  more  nearly  allied  than  the  ftag 
and  the  fallow  deerf.  Alike  in  form,  alike  in  difpofition,  in  the 
tuperb  furniture  of  their  heads,  in  their  fwiftnefs  and  timidi- 
ty •,  and  yet  no  two  animals  keep  more  diftincl:,  or  avoid  each 
other  with  more  fixed  animofity.  They  are  never  feen  to  herd 
in  the  fame  place,  they  never  engender  together,  or  form  a 
mixed  breed ;  and  even  in  thofe  countries  where  the  ftag  is 
common,  the  buck  feems  to  be  entirely  a  ftranger.  In  fhort, 
they  both  form  diftintl  families  5  which,  though  fo  feemingly 

*  BufFon,  vol.  xii.  p.  35.  J  Buffon,  vol.  xii.  p.  36, 

VOL.  IL  K 


74  ANIMALSOFTHE 

near,  are  flill  remote;  and,  although  with  the  fame  habitudes, 
yet  retain  an  unalterable  averfion. 

The  fallow  deer,  as  they  are  much  fmaller,  fo  they  feem  of 
a  nature  lefs  robuft,  and  lefs  favage,  than  thofe  of  the  (Ing  kind. 
Thefe  are  found  but  rarely  wild  in  the  forefls;  they  are,  in  ge- 
neral, bred  up  in  parks,  and  kept  for  the  purpofes  of  hunting, 
or  of  luxury,  their  flefh  being  preferred  to  that  of  any  other 
animal.  It  need  fcarce  be  mentioned,  that  the  horns  of  the  buck 
make  its  principal  diflin6lion,  being  broad  and  palmated  ; 
whereas  thofe  of  the  flag  are  in  every  part  round.  In  the  one, 
they  are  flatted  and  fpread  like  the  palm  of  the  hand ;  in  the 
other,  they  grow  like  a  tree,  every  branch  being  of  the  {hape  of 
the  flem  that  bears  it.  The  fallow  deer  alfo  have  the  tail  longer, 
and  the  hair  lighter  than  the  flag ;  in  other  refpec~ls,  they  pret- 
ty near  refemble  one  another. 

The  head  of  the  buck,  as  of  all  other  animals  of  this  kind, 
Is  flied  every  year,  and  takes  the  ufual  time  for  repairing.  The 
only  difference  between  it  and  the  flag  is,  that  this  change  hap- 
pens later  in  the  buck  j  and  its  rutting-time,  confequently, 
falls  more  into  the  winter.  It  is  not  found  fo  furious  at  this 
feafon  as  the  former  ;  nor  does  it  fo  much  exhaufl  itfelf  by  the 
violence  of  its  ardour.  It  does  not  quit  its  natural  paflures  in 
quefl  of  the  female,  nor  does  it  attack  other  animals  with  in- 
difcriminate  ferocity  :  however,  the  males  combat  for  the  fe- 
male, among  each  other ;  and  it  is  not  without  many  contefls 
that  one  buck  is  feen  to  become  mafler  of  the  whole  herd. 

It  often  happens  alfo,  that  a  herd  of  fallow  deer  is  feen  to 
divide  into  two  parties,  and  engage  each  other  with  great  ar- 
dour and  obflinacy*.  They  both  feem  defirous  of  gaining  feme 
favourite  fpot  of  the  park  for  pafture,  and  of  driving  the  van- 
quifhed  party  into  the  coarfer  and  more  difagreeable  parts.  Each 
of  thefe  factions  has  its  particular  chief;  namely,  the  two  oldeil 
and  flrongeft  of  the  herd.  Thefe  lead  on  to  the  engagement ; 
and  the  reft  follow  under  their  direction.  Thefe  combats  are 
fingular  enough,  from  the  difpofition  and  conduct  which  feems 
to  regulate  their  mutual  efforts.  They  attack  with  order,  and 

*  Euffon,  vol.  iii.  p.  36. 


DEER  KIND,  75 

fupport  the  afTault  with  courage  ;  they  come  to  each  other's 
affidance,  they  retire,  they  rally,  and  never  give  'up  the  vic~lo- 
ry  upon  a  (ingle  defeat.  The  combat  is  renewed  for  feveral  days 
together;  until,  at  length,  the  mod  feeble  fide  is  obliged  to  give 
way.  and  is  content  to  efcape  to  the  moft  difagreeable  part  of 
the  park,  where  only  they  can  find  fafety  and  protection. 

The  fallow  deer  is  eafily  tamed,  and  feeds  upon  many  things 
which  the  flag  refufes.  By  this  means  it  preferves  its  venifon 
better,  and  even  after  rutting,  it  does  not  appear  entirely  ex- 
hauded.  It  continues  almod  in  the  fame  (late  through  the  whole 
year,  although  there  are  particular  feafons  when  its  flefh  is 
chiefly  in  efleem.  This  animal  alfo  browzes  clofer  than  the 
ftag  ;  for  which  reafon  it  is  more  prejudicial  among  young 
trees,  which  it  often  ftrips  too  clofe  for  recovery.  The  young 
deer  eat  much  fafler  and  more  greedily  than  the  old  ;  they  feek 
the  female  at  their  fecond  year,  and,  like  the  (lag,  are  fond  of 
variety.  The  doe  goes  with  young  above  eight  months,  like  the 
hind  ;  and  commonly  brings  forth  one  at  a  time  ;  but  they  dif- 
fer in  this,  that  the  buck  comes  to  perfection  at  three,  and  lives 
till  fixteen ;.  whereas  the  flag  does  not  come  to  perfection  till 
feven^and  lives  till  forty. 

As  this  animal  is  a  bead  of  chace,  like  the  (lag,  fo  the  hun- 
ters have  invented  a  number  of  names  relative  to  him.  The 
buck  is  the  firil  year  called  *fa*wn ;  the  fecond,  a  pricket ;  the 
third,  iforel;  the  fourth,  afore;  the  fifth,  a  buck  of  the  firft  head  \ 
and  the  fixth,  a  great  buck  :  The  female  is  called  a  doe ;  the  firft 
year  *fa<wn  ,-  and  the  fecond,  a  tegg.  The  manner  of  hunting 
the  buck  is  pretty  much  the  fame  as  that  of  (lag  hunting,  ex- 
cept that  lefs  (kill  is  required  in  the  latter.  The  buck  is  more 
eafily  rouz^d ;  it  is  fufficient  to  judge  by  the  view,  and  mark 
what  grove  or  covert  it  enters,  as  it  is  not  known  to  wander 
far  from  thence  ;  nor,  like  the  (lag,  to  change  his  layer,  or  place 
of  repofe.  When  hard  hunted,  it  takes  to  fome  (Irong  hold  or 
covert,  with  which  it  is  acquainted,  in  the  more  gloomy  parts 
of  the  wood,,  or  the  deeps  of  the  mountain  ;  not  like  the  dag, 
flying  far  before  the  hounds,  nor  eroding  nor  doubling,  nor 
ufing  any  of  the  fubtleties,  which  the  dag  is  accudomed  to^ 


7<S  ANIMALS  6F  THE 

It  will  take  the  water  when  forely  prefled,  but  feldom  a  great 
river ;  nor  can  it  fwim  fo  long,  nor  fo  fwiftly,  as  the  former. 
In  general,  the  ftrength,  the  cunning,  and  the  courage  of  this 
animal,  are  inferior  to  thofe  of  the  flag  ;  and,  confequently,  it 
affords  neither  fo  long,  fo  various,  nor  fo  obftinate  a  chace  : 
befides,  being  lighter,  and  not  tracking  fo  deeply,  it  leaves  a 
lefs  powerful  and  lafting  fcent,  and  the  dogs  in  the  purfuit  are 
more  frequently  at  a  fault. 

As  the  buck  is  a  more  delicate  animal  than  the  flag,  fo  alfo 
it  is  fubjeft  to  greater  varieties*.  We  have  in  England  two 
varieties  of  the  fallow-deer,  which  are  faid  to  be  of  foreign 
origin.  The  beautiful  fpotted  kind,  which  is  fuppofed  to  have 
been  brought  from  Bengal ,  and  the  very  deep  brown  fort, 
that  are  now  fo  common  in  feveral  parts  of  this  kingdom. 
Thefe  were  introduced  by  king  James  the  firft,  from  Norway : 
for  having  obferved  their  hardinefs,  and  that  they  could  endure 
the  winter,  even  in  that  fevere  climate,  without  fodder,  he 
brought  over  fome  of  them  into  Scotland,  and  difpofed  of  them 
among  his  chaces.  Since  that  time,  they  have  multiplied  in 
many  parts  of  the  Britifh  empire  ;  and  England  is  now  become 
more  famous  for  its  venifon,  than  any  other  country  in  the 
world.  Whatever  pains  the  French  have  taken  to  rival  us  in 
this  particular,  the  flefh  of  their  faliow-deer,  of  which  they 
keep  but  a  few,  has  neither  the  fatnefs  nor  the  flavour  of  that 
fed  upon  Englim  paflure. 

However,  there  is  fcarce  a  country  in  Europe,  except  far 
to  the  northward,  in  which  this  animal  is  a  flranger.  The  Spa- 
nim  fallow-deer  are  as  large  as  flags,  but  of  a  darker  colour, 
and  a  more  (lender  neck  ;  their  tails  are  longer  than  thofe  of 
ours,  they  are  black  above,  and  white  below.  The  Virginian 
deer  are  larger  and  ilronger  than  ours,  with  great  necks,  and 
their  colour  inclinable  to  grey.  Other  kinds  have  the  hoofs  of 
their  hind  legs  marked  outwardly  with  a  white  fpotj  and  their 
ears  and  tails  much  longer  than  the  common.  One  of  .thefe  has 
been  feen  full  of  white  fpots,  with  a  black  lilt  down  the  middle 
of  his  back.  In  Guiana,  a  country  of  South-America,  according 

*  Eritifli  Zoology. 


DEER  KIND.  77 

to  Labat,  there  are  deer  without  home,  which  are  much  lefs  than 
thofe  of  Europe,  but  refembling  them  in  every  other  particular^ 
They  are  very  lively,  light  of  courfe,  and  exceffively  fearful ; 
their  hair  is  of  a  reddifh  fallow,  their  heads  are  fmall  and  lean, 
their  ears  little,  their  necks  long  and  arched,  the  tail  fliort,  and 
the  fight  piercing.  When  purfued,  they  fly  into  places  where 
no  other  animal  can  follow  them.  The  Negroes,  who  purfue 
them,  ftand  to  watch  for  them  in  narrow  paths,  which  lead  to 
the  brook  or  meadow  where  they  feed  ;  there  waiting  in  the  ut- 
moft  filence  ;  for  the  flighteft  found  will  drive  them  away:  the 
Negroe,  when  he  perceives  the  animal  within  reach,  (hoots,  and 
is  happy  if  he  can  bring  down  his  game.  Their  flefli,  though 
feldom  fat,  is  confidered  as  a  great  delicucy,  and  the  hunter  is 
well  rewarded  for  his  trouble. 


THE     R  O  E-B  U  C  K. 

THE  roe -buck  is  the  fmaiieft  of  the  deer  kind,  knovrn  in 
our  climat?,"and  is  now  almoit  extincl:  among  us,  except  in 
fome  parts  of  the  highlands  of  Scotland.  It  is  generally  about 
three  feet  long,  and  about  two  feet  high.  The  horns  are  from 
eight  to  nine  inches  long,  upright,  round,  and  divided-  into  on- 
ly three  branches.  The  body  is  covered  with  very  long  hair, 
well  adapted  to  the  rigour  of  its  mountainous  abode.  The 
lower  part  of  each  hair  is  afli  colour  j  near  the  ends  is  a  narrow 
bar  of  black,  and  the  points  are  yellow.  The  hairs  on  the  face 
are  black,  tipped  with  am  colour.  The  ears  are  long,  their  in- 
fides  of  a  pale  yellow,  and  covered  with  long  hair.  The  fpaces 
bordering  on  the  eyes  and  mouth  are  black.  The  cheft,  belly, 
and  legs,  and  the  infide  of  the  thighs,  are  of  a  yellowiih  white  -y 
the  rump  is  of  a  pure  white,  and  the  tail  very  ihort.  The  make 
of  this  little  animal  is  very  elegant ;  and  its  fwiftnefs  equals  its 
beauty.  It  differs  from  the  fallow-deer,  in  having  round  horns, 
and  not  flatted  like  theirs.  It  differs  from  the  (tag,  in  its  (mai- 
ler fize,  and  the  proportionable  paucity  of  its  antlers  :  and  it 
differs  from  all  of  the  goat  kind,  as  it  annually  (heds  its  head,  and 
obtains  a  new  one,  which  none  of  that  kind  are  ever  feen  to  do. 


78  A  N  I  M  A  L  S  O  F  T  H  E 

As  the  flag  frequents  the  thickeft  forefts,  and  the  fides  of  the 
highefl  mountains,  the  roe-buck,  with  humbler  ambition, 
courts  the  fhady  thicket,  and  the  rifing  flope.  Although  lefs  in 
foe,  and  far  inferior  in  ftrength  to  the  flag,  it  is  yet  more  beau- 
tiful, more  active,  and  even  more  courageous.  Its  hair  is  al- 
ways fmooth,  clean  and  gloffy  ;  and  it  frequents  only  the  dri- 
ed places,  and  of  the  pureft  air.  Though  but  a  very  little  ani- 
mal, as  we  have  already  obferved,  yet,  when  its  young  is  at- 
tacked, it  faces  even  the  ftaghimfelf,  and  often  comes  off  vic- 
torious*. All  its  motions  are  elegant  and  eafy  ;  it  bounds  with- 
out effort,  and  continues  the  courfe  with  but  little  fatigue.  It 
is  alfo  pofTefled  of  more  cunning  in  avoiding  the  hunter,  is 
more  difficult  to  purfue,  and,  although  its  fcent  is  much  ftron- 
ger  than  that  of  the  ftag,  it  is  more  frequently  found  to  make 
good  a  retreat.  It  is  not  with  the  roe-buck,  as  with  the  ftag, 
who  never  offers  to  ufe  art  until  his  ftrength  is  beginning  to 
decline  ;  this  more  cunning  animal,  when  it  finds  that  its  firft 
efforts  to  efcape  are  without  fuccefs,  returns  upon  its  former 
track,  again  goes  forward,  and  again  returns,  until,  by  its  vari- 
ous windings,  it  ha's  entirely  confounded  the  fcent,  and  joined 
the  laft  emanations  to  thofe  of  its  former  courfe.  It  then,  by  a 
bound,  goes  to  one  fide,  lies  flat  upon  its  belly,  and  permits  the 
pack  to  pafs  by  very  near,  without  offering  to  ftir. 

But  the  roe-buck  differs  not  only  from  the  ftag  in  fuperior 
cunning,  but  alfo  in  its  natural  appetites,  its  inclinations,  and 
its  whole  habits  of  living.  Inftead  of  herding  together,  thefe 
nnimals  live  in  feparate  families  ;  the  fire,  the  dam,  and  the 
young  ones,  ailbciate  together,  and  never  admit  a  ftranger  in- 
to their  little  community.  All  others  of  the  deer  kind  are  incon- 
ilant  in  their  aftedlion;  but  the  roe-buck  never  leaves  its  mate ; 
and,  as  they  have  been  generally  bred  up  together,  from  their 
firft  fawning,  they  conceive  fo  ftrong  an  attachment,  the  male 
for  the  female,  that  they  never  after  feparate.  Their  rutting- 
feafon  continues  but  fifteen  days;  from  the  latter  end  of  Oc- 
tober, to  about  the  middle  of  November.  They  are  not  at  that 
time,  like  the  ftag,  overloaded  with  fat ;  they  have  not  that 

*  E'!i7on,  vol.  xii.  p.  75. 


DEER  KIND.  79 

ftrong  odour,  which  is  perceived  in  all  others  of  the  deer  kind; 
they  have  none  of  thofe  furious  excefles  :  nothing,  in  ftiort, 
that  alters  their  (late  :  they  only  drive  away  their  fawns  upon 
thefe  occafions ;  the  buck  forcing  them  to  retire,  in  order  to 
make  room  for  a  fucceeding  progeny ;  however,  when  the  co- 
pulating feafon  is  over,  the  fawns  return  to  their  does,  and 
remain  with  them  fome  time  longer ;  after  which,  they  quit 
them  entirely,  in  order  to  begin  an  independent  family  of  their 
own.  The  female  goes  with  young  but  five  months  and  a  half; 
which  alone  ferves  to  diftinguifh  this  animal  from  all  others  of 
the  deer  kind,  tha:  continue  pregnant  more  than  eight.  In 
this  refpecr,,  me  rather  approaches  more  nearly  to  the  goat  kind; 
from  which,  however,  this  race  is  feparated  by  the  male's  an- 
nual cafting  its  horns. 

When  the  female  is  ready  to  bring  forth,  (lie  feeks  a  retreat 
in  the  thickeft  part  of  the  woods,   being  not  lefs  apprehenfive 
of  the  buck,  from  whom  (he  then  feparates,  than  of  the  wolf, 
the  wild  cat,  and  almoft  every  ravenous  animal  of  the  foreft ; 
ihe  generally  produces  two  at  a  time,  and  three  but  very  rare- 
ly. In  about  ten  or  twelve  days,  thefe  are  able  to  follow  their 
dam,  except  in  cafes  of  warm  purfuit,   when  their  ftrength  is 
not  equal  to  the  fatigue.  Upon  fuch  occafions,  the  tendernefs 
of  the  dam  is  very  extraordinary  ;  leaving  them  in  the  d^epeft 
thickets,  me  offers  herfelf  to  the  danger,  files  before  the  hounds, 
and  does  all   in  her  power  to  lead  them  from  the  retreat  where 
ihe  has  lodged  her  little  ones.  Such  animals  as  are  nearly  up- 
on her  own  level,  (he  boldly  encounters  ;  attacks  the  flag,   the 
wild  cat,  and  even  the  wolf;  and  while  fhe  has  life,  continues 
her  efforts   to  protect  her  young.    Yet  all  her  endeavours  are 
often  vain  :   about  the  month  of  May,   which  is  her  faw: 
time,  there  is  a  greater  deftrucUon  among  thofe  animals,  • 
at   any   other  feafon  of  the   year.  Numbers  of  the  fawn 
taken -alive  by  the  peafants  ;  numbers  are  found  out,  and  wor- 
ried  by  the  dogs ;    and  (till  more  by  the  wolf,    which  has  al- 
ways been  their   moil   inveterate  enemy.    By  thclc  conii. 
depredations  upon  this  beautiful  creature,  the  roe-buck  is  . 
rv  dnv  becoming  fcarcer:  and  the  \vhc'  .u:i- 


So  ANIMALS  OF  THE 


}\y  worn  out.  They  were  once  common  in  Eng- 
land; the  huntfrnen,  who  charafterifed  only  fuch  beafts  as  they 
knew,  have  given  names  to  the  different  kinds  and  ages,  as  to 
the  flag  :  thus  they  called  it  the  firft  year  a  kinds  the  fecond,  a 
gyr/t;  and  the  third,  a  kemufe  ;  but  thefe  names  at  prefent,  are 
utterly  ufelefs,  fince  the  animal  no  longer  exifts  among  us. 
Even  in  France,  where  it  was  once  extremely  common,  it  is 
now  confined  to  a  few  provinces;  and,  it  is  probable,  that  in 
an  asje  or  two,  the  whole  breed  will  be  utterly  extirpated.  Mr. 
Bu^Fon,  indeed,  obferves,  that  in  thofe  diftri&s  where  it  is 
moflly  found,  it  feems  to  maintain  its  ufual  plenty,  and  that 
the  balance  between  its  deftru£Hon  and  increafe,  is  held  pretty 
even  ;  however,  the  number,  in  geneal,  is  known  to  decreafe  ; 
for,  wherever  cultivation  takes  place,  the  beafts  of  nature  are 
known  to  retire.  Many  animals,  that  once  flourifhed  in  the 
world,  may  now  be  extinct  ;  and  the  defcriptions  of  Ariftotle 
and  Pliny,  though  taken  from  life,  may  be  confidered  as  fa- 
bulous, as  their  archetypes  are  no  longer  exifling. 

The  fawns  continue  to  follow  the  deer  eight  or  nine  months 
in  all;  and  upon  feparating,  their  horns  begin  to  appear,  fim- 
ple  and  without  antlers  the  firft  year,  as  in  thofe  of  the  itag 
kind*.  Thefe  they  fhed  at  the  latter  end  of  autumn,  and  renew 
during  the  winter  ;  differing  in  this  from  the  flag,  who  iheds 
them  in  fpring  and  renews  them  in  fummer.  When  the  roe- 
buck's head  is  completely  furnifhed,  it  rubs  the  horns  againft 
trees  in  the  manner  of  the  flag,  and  thus  drips  them  of  the 
rough  fkin  and  the  blood-veflels,  which  no  longer  contribute 
to  their  nourifhment  and  growth.  When  thefe  fall,  and  new 
ones  begin  to  appear,  the  roe-buck  does  not  retire,  as  the  flag, 
to  the  covert  of  the  wood,  but  continues  its  ufual  haunts,  only 
keeping  down  its  head  to  avoid  ftriking  its  horns  againft  the 
branches  of  trees,  the  pain  of  which  it  feems  to  feel  with  ex- 
quilite  fenfibility.  The  ftag,  who  fheds  his  horns  in  fummer, 
is  obliged  to  feek  a  retreat  from  the  flies,  that  at  that  time 
greatly  incommode  him  ;  but  the  roe-buck,  who  fheds  them 
in  winter,  ib  under  no  fuch  neceflity  ;  and,  confequently,  doe* 

*  Buffon,  vol.  xii.  p.  88. 


DEER   KIND.  Si 

ttot  feparate  from  its  little  family,  but  keeps  with  the  female 
all  the  year  rounclf. 

As  the  growth  of  the  roe-buck,  and  its  arrival  at  maturity^ 
is  much  fpeedier  than  that  of  the  ftag,  fo  its  life  is  propor- 
tionably  Ihorter.  It  fcldom  is  found  to  extend  above  twelve 
or  fifteen  years  ;  and,  if  kept  tame,  it  does  not  live  above  fix 
or  fcven.  It  is  an  animal  of  a  very  delicate  conftitution,  re- 
quiring variety  of  food,  air,  and  exercife.  It  muft  be  paired, 
with  a  female,  and  kept  in  a  park  of  at  leaft  a  hundred  acres. 
They  may  eafily  be  fubdued,  but  never  thoroughly  tamed. 
No  arts  can  teach  them  to  be  familiar  with  the  feeder,  much 
lefs  attached  to  him.  They  dill  preferve  a  part  of  their  natu- 
ral wildnefs,  and  are  fubjeft  to  terrors  without  a  caufe.  They 
fometimes,  in  attempting  to  efcape,  ftrike  themfelves  with 
fuch  force  againft  the  walls  of  their  inclofure,  that  they  break 
their  limbs,  and  become  utterly  difabled.  Whatever  care  is 
taken  to  tame  them,  they  are  never  entirely  to  be  relied  on, 
as  they  have  capricious  fits  of  fiercenefs,  and  fometimes  ftrike 
at  thofe  they  diflike  with  a  degree  of  force  that  is  very  dan- 
gerous. 

The  cry  of  the  roe-buck  is  neither  fo  loud  nor  fo  frequent 
as  that  of  the  ftag.  The  young  ones  have  a  particular  manner 
of  calling  to  the  dam,  which  the  hunters  eafily  imitate,  and 
often  thus  allure  the  female  to  her  deftru&ion.  Upon  fome 
occafions  alfo  they  become  in  a  manner  intoxicated  with  their 
food,  which,  during  the  fpring,  is  faid  to  ferment  in  their  fto- 
machs,  and  they  are  then  very  eafily  taken.  In  fummcr  they 
keep  clofe  under  covert  of  the  foreft,  and  feldom  venture  out, 
except  in  violent  heats,  to  drink  at  fome  river  or  fountain.  In 
general,  however,  they  are  contented  to  flake  their  third  with 
the  dew  that  falls  on  the  grafs  and  the  leaves  of  trees,  and 
feldom  rifque  their  fafety  to  fatisfy  their  appetite.  They  de- 
light chiefly  in  hilly  grounds,  preferring  the  tender  branches 
and  buds  of  trees  to  corn,  or  other  vegetables  ;  and  it  is  uni- 
verfally  allowed,  that  the  flefh  of  thofe  between  one  and  two 

i  Bufibn,  vol.  xii.  p.  88. 

VOL,  II.  L 


$2  ANIMALS  OF  THE 

years  old  is  the  greateft  delicacy  that  is  known.  Perhap&  alfo, 
the  fcarcenefs  of  it  enhances  its  flavour. 

In  America  this  animal  is  much  more  common  than  in  Eu- 
rope. With  us  there  are  but  two  known  varieties  ;  the  red, 
which  is  the  larger  fort  $  and  the  brown,  with  a  fpot  behind, 
which  is  lefs.  But  in  the  new  continent  the  breed  is  extreme- 
ly numerous,  and  the  varieties  in  equal  proportion.  In  Loui- 
fiana,  where  they  are  extremely  common,  they  are  much  lar- 
ger than  in  Europe,  and  the  inhabitants  live  in  a  great  mea- 
fure  upon  its  fiefh,  which  taftes  like  mutton  when  well  fatted. 
They  are  found  alfo  in  Brafil,  where  they  have  the  name  cf 
eugacu  apara,  only  differing  from  ours  in  fome  flight  devi- 
ations in  the  horns.  This  animal  is  alfo  faid  to  be  common 
in  China  ;  although  fuch  as  have  defcribed  it,  feem  to  con- 
found it  with  the  mufk-goat,  which  is  of  a  quite  different  na- 
ture. 

THE    ELK. 

WE  have  hitherto  been  defcribing  minute  animals  in  com- 
parifon  of  the  elk  ;  the  flze  of  which,  from  concurrent  tefti- 
mony,  appears  to  be  equal  to  that  of  the  elephant  itfelf.  It  is 
an  animal  rather  of  the  buck  than  the  flag  kind,  as  its  horns 
are  flatted  towards  the  top  :  but  it  is  far  beyond  both  in  fta«- 
ture,  fome  of  them  being  known  to  be  above  ten  feet  high. 
It  is  a  natiVe  both  of  the  old  and  new  continent,  being  known 
in  Europe  under  the  name  of  the  elk,  and  in  America  by  that 
of  the  moofe-deer.  It  is  fometrmes  taken  in  the  German  and 
Ruflian  forefts,  although  feldom  appearing  ;  but  it  is  extreme- 
ly common  in  North- America,  where  the  natives  purfue,  and 
track  it  in  the  fnow.  The  accounts  of  this  animal  are  extreme- 
ly various  j  fome  defcribing  it  as  being  no  higher  than  a  horfe, 
and  others  about  twelve  feet  high. 

As  the  ftature  of  this  creature  makes  its  chief  peculiarity, 
fo  it  were  to  be  wifhed  that  we  could  come  to  fome  precifion 
upon  that  head.  If  we  were  to  judge  of  its  fize  by  the  horns* 


DEER    KIND.  83 

which  are  fometimes  fortuitoufly  dug  up  in  many  parts  of 
Ireland,  we  mould  not  be  much  amifs  in  afcribing  them  to  an 
animal  at  lead  ten  feet  high.  One  of  thefe  I  have  feen,  which 
was  ten  feet  nine  inches  from  one  tip  to  the  other.  From  fuch 
dimenfions,  it  is  eafy  to  perceive  that  it  required  an  animal 
far  beyond  the  fize  of  a  horfe  to  fupport  them.  To  bear  a  head 
with  fuch  extenfive  and  heavy  antlers,  required  no  fmall  de- 
gree of  ftrength  ;  and,  without  all  doubt,  the  bulk  of  the  body 
muft  have  been  proportionable  to  the  fize  of  the  horns.  I  re- 
member, fome  years  ago,  to  have  feen  a  fmall  moofe-deer, 
which  was  brought  from  America,  by  a  gentleman  of  Ire- 
land ;  it  was  about  the  fize  of  a  horfe,  and  the  horns  were 
very  little  larger  than  thofe  of  a  common  (lag  :  this,  there- 
fore, ferves  to  prove,  that  the  horns  bear  an  exacl:  proportion 
to  the  animal's  fize  ;  the  fmall  elk  has  but  fmall  horns  ; 
whereas,  thofe  enormous  ones,  which  we  have  defcribed  above, 
muft  have  belonged  to  a  proportionable  creature.  In  all  the 
more  noble  animals,  nature  ob ferves  a  perfect  fymmetry  ;  and 
it  is  not  to  be  fuppofed  me  fails  in  this  fmgle  in  fiance.  We 
have  no  reafon,  therefore,  to  doubt  the  accounts  of  Jocelyn 
and  Dudley,  who  affirm,  that  they  have  been  found  fourteen 
fpans  ;  which,  at  nine  inches  to  a  fpan,  makes  the  animal  al- 
moft  eleven  feet  high.  Others  have  extended  their  accounts 
to  twelve  and  fourteen  feet,  which  makes  this  creature  one  of 
the  moft  formidable  of  the  foreft. 

There  is  but  very  little  difference  between  the  European  elk, 
and  the  American  moofe-deer,  as  they  are  but  varieties  of  the 
fame  animal.  It  may  be  rather  larger  in  America  than  with 
us  ;  as,  in  the  foreft  of  that  unpeopled  country,  it  receives  lefs 
difturbance  than  in  our  own.  In  all  places,  however,  it  is  ti- 
morous and  gentle  ;  content  with  its  pafture,  and  never  wil- 
ling  to  difturb  any  other  animal,  when  fupplied  itfelf. 

The  European  elk  grows  to  above  feven  or  eight  feet  high.  In 
the  year  1742,  there  was  a  female  of  this  animal  mown  at  Pa- 
ris, which  was  caught  in  a  foreft  of  Red  Ruffia,  belonging  to  the 


84  ANIMALSOFTHE 

Cham  of  Tartary*;  it  was  then  but  young,  ami  its  height  was 
even  at  that  time  fix  feet  feven  inches  ;  but  the  defcriber  ob- 
ferves,  that  it  has  fince  become  much  taller  and  thicker,  fo 
that  we  may  fuppofe  this  female  at  lead  feven  feet  high. 
There  have  been  no  late  opportunities  of  feeing  the  male  5  but, 
by  the  rule  of  proportion,  we  may  eflimate  his  fize  at  eight  or 
nine  feet  at  the  leaft,  which  is  about  twice  as  high  as  an  ordi- 
nary horfe.  The  height,  however,  of  the  female,  which  was 
meafured,  was  but  fix  feet  feven  inches,  Paris  meafure  ;  or  al- 
moft  feven  Englifh  feet  high :  it  was  ten  feet  from  the  tip  of 
the  nofe  to  the  infertion  of  the  tail ;  and  eight  feet  round  the 
body.  The  hair  was  very  long  and  coarfe,  like  that  of  a  wild 
boar.  The  ears  refembled  thofe  of  a  mule,  and  were  a  foot 
and  a  half  long.  The  upper  jaw  was  longer  by  fix  inches,  than 
the  lower  ;  and,  like  other  ruminating  animals,  it  had  no 
teeth  (cutting  teeth  I  fuppofe  the  defcriber  means.)  It  had  a 
large  beard  under  the  throat,  like  a  goat ;  and  in  the  middle 
of  the  forehead,  between  the  horns,  there  was  a  bone  as  large 
us  an  egg.  The  noftrils  were  four  inches  long  on  each  fide  of 
the  mouth.  It  made  ufe  of  its  fore  feet,  as  a  defence  againfl 
its  enemies.  Thofe  who  fhowed  it,  aiTerted,  that  it  ran  with 
ailonilhing  fwiftnefs  ;  that  it  fwarn  alfo  with  equal  expedi- 
tion, and  was  very  fond  of  the  water.  They  gave  it  thirty 
pounds  of  bread  every  day,  befide  hay,  and  it  drank  eight 
buckets  of  water.  It  was  tame  and  familiar,  and  fubmiffive 
enough  to  its  keeper. 

This  defcription  differs  in  many  circumftances  from  that 
which  we  have  of  the  moofe,  or  American  elk,  which  the 
French  call  the  original.  Of  thefe,  there  are  two  'kinds,  the 
common  light  grey  moofe,  which  is  not  very  large  ;  and  the 
black  moofe,  which  grows  to  an  enormous  height.  Mr.  Dud- 
ley obferves,  that  a  doe  or  hind  of  the  black  moofe  kind,  of 
the  fourth  year,  wanted  but  an  inch  of  feven  feet  high.  All, 
however,  of  both  kinds,  have  fiat  palmed  horns,  not  unlike 
the  fallow-deer,  only  that  the  palm  is  much  larger,  having  3 

*  Bi&ionaire  Raifonnee  des  Animaux.   Au  Nom.  Ehn. 


DEER  KIND.  55 

ftiort  trunk  at  the  head,  and  then  immedhtdy  fpreading  above 
a  foot  broad,  with  a  kind  of  fmall  antlers,  like  teeth,  on  one 
of  the  edges.  In  this  particular,  all  of  the  elk  kind  agree  ; 
as  well  the  European  elk,  as  the  grey  and  the  black  moofe- 
deer. 

The  grey  mdofe-deer  is  about  the  fize  of  a  horfc  -,  and  al- 
though it  has  large  buttocks,  its  tail  is  not  above  an  inch  long. 
As  in  all  of  this  kind  the  upper  lip  is  much  longer  than  the 
under,  it  is  faid  that  they  continue  to  go  backward  as  they 
feed.  Their  nofcrils  are  fo  large  that  a  man  may  thru  ft  hi* 
hand  in  a  confiderable  way  ;  and  their  horns  are  as  long  as 
thofe  of  a  ftag,  but,  as  was  obferved,  much  broader. 

The  black  moofe  is  the  enormous  animal  mentioned  above, 
from  eight  to  twelve  feet  high.  Jofleleyn,  who  is  the  nrft  Eng- 
lifh  writer  that  mentions  it,  fays,  that  it  is  a  goodly  creature, 
twelve  feet  high,  with  exceeding  fair  horns,  that  have  broad 
palms,  two  fathoms  from  the  top  of  one  horn  to  another.  He 
affures  us,  that  it  is  a  creature,  or  rather  a  monfter  of  fuper- 
fluity,  and  many  times  bigger  than  an  Englim  ox.  This  ac- 
count is  confirmed  by  Dudley  ;  but  he  does  not  give  fo  s;reat 
an  expanfion  to  the  horns,  meafuring  them  only  thirty-one 
inches  between  one  tip  and  the  other  :  however,  that  fuch  an 
extraordinary  animal  as  Jofleleyn  defcribes,  has  actually  exif- 
ted,  we  can  make  no  manner  of  doubt,  fmce  there  are  horns 
common  enough  to  be  feen  among  us,  twelve  feet  from  one 
tip  to  the  other. 

Thefe  animals  delight  in  cold  countries,  feeding  upon  grafs 
in  fummer,  and  the  bark  of  trees  in  winter.  When  the  whole 
country  is  deeply  covered  with  fnow,  the  moofe-deer  herd  to- 
gether under  the  tall  pine-trees,  ftrip  off  the  bark,  and  remain 
in  that  part  of  the  foreft  while  it  yields  them  fubfi  Hence.  It 
is  at  that  time  that  the  natives  prepare  to  hunt  them  ;  and 
particularly  when  the  fun  begins  to  melt  the  fnow  by  day, 
which  is  frozen  again  at  night  -,  for  then  the  icy  crult  which 
covers  the  furface  of  the  fnow,  is  too  weak  to  fupport  fo  great 
a  bull;,  and  only  retards  the  animal's  motion.  When  the  In- 


S6  ANIMALS  OF  THE 

dians,  therefore,  perceive  a  herd  of  thefe  at  a  diftance,  they 
immediately  prepare  for  their  purfuit,  which  is  not,  as  with 
us,  the  fporL  of  an  hour,  hut  is  attended  with  toil,  difficulty 
and  danger*.  The  timorous  animal  no  fooner  obferves  its 
enemies  approach,  than  it  immediately  endeavours  to  efcape, 
but  finks  at  every  flep.  it  takes.  Still,  however,  it  purfues  its 
way  through  a  thoufand  obftacles  :  the  fnow,  which  is  ufually 
four  feet  deep,  yields  to  its  weight,  and  embarrafies  its  fpeed : 
the  fharp  ice  wounds  its  feet  ;  and  its  lofty  hornfc  are  entan- 
gled in  the  branches  of  the  foreft,  as  it  pafles  along.  The  trees, 
however,  are  broken  down  with  eafe ;  and,  wherever  the  moofe- 
deer  runs,  it  is  perceived  by  the  fnapping  off  the  brances  of 
the  trees,  as  thick  as  a  man's  thigh,  with  its  horns.  The  chace 
lafts  in  this  manner  for  the  whole  day  ;  and  fometimes  it  has 
been  known  to  continue  for  two,  nay  three  days  together  ; 
for  the  purfuers  are  often  not  lefs  excited  by  famine,  than  the 
purfued  by  fear.  Their  perfeverance,  however,  generally  fuc~ 
ceeds ;  and  the  Indian  who  firfl  comes  near  enough,  darts  his 
lance,  with  .unerring  aim,  which  (licks  in  the  poor  animal, 
and  at  firft  increafes  its  efforts  to  efcape.  In  this  manner  the 
moofe  trots  heavily  on,  (for  that  is  its  ufual  pace)  till  its  pur- 
fuers once  more  come  up,  and  repeat  their  blow  :  upon  this, 
it  again  fummons  up  fufficient  vigour  to  get  a  head  ;  but,  at 
laft,  quite  tired,  and  fpent  with  lofs  of  blood,  it  finks,  as  the 
idefcriber  expreffes  it,  like  a  ruined  building,  and  makes  the 
earth  make  beneath  its  fall. 

This  animal,  when  killed,  is  a  very  valuable  acquifition  to 
the  hunters.  The  flefh  is  very  well  tailed,  and  faid  to  be  nou- 
ri fhing.  The  hide  is  ftrong,  and  fo  thick  that  it  has  been  often 
known  to  turn  a  mufltet-ball ;  however,  it  is  foft  and  pliable, 
and,  when  tanned,  the  leather  is  extremely  light,  yet  very 
lading.  The  fur  is  a  light  grey  in  fome,  and  blackifh  in  others  ; 
and,  when  viewed  through  a  microfcope,  appears  fpongy  like 
a  bulrufh,  and  is  fmaller  at  the  roots  and  points  than  in  the 
middle  ;  for  this  reafon,  it  lies  very  flat  and  frnooth,  and, 
though  beaten  or  abufed  ever  fo  much,  it  always  returns  to 

*  Phil.  Tranf.  vol.  ii.  p.  436. 


if- 


D  E  E  R  K I  N  D.  87 

its  former  ftate.  The  herns  alfo  are  not  lefs  ufeful,  being  ap- 
plied to  all  the  purpofes  for  which  hartihorn  is  beneficial  : 
thefe  are  different  in  different  animals  -,  in  fome  they  refem- 
ble  entirely  thofe  of  the  European  elk,  which  fpread  into  a 
broad  palm,  with  fmall  antlers  on  one  of  the  edges  •,  in  others, 
they  have  a  branched  brow-antler  between  the  bur  and  the 
palm,  which  the  German  elk  has  not  j  and  in  this  they  en- 
tirely agree  with  thofe  whofe  horns  are  fo  frequently  dug  up 
in  Ireland.!  This  animal  is  faid  to  be  troubled  with  the  epi- 
lepfy,  as  it  is  often  found  to  fall  down  when  purfued,  and 
thus  becomes  an  eafier  prey  ;  for  this  reafon,  an  imaginary  vir- 
tue has  been  afcribed  to  the  hinder  hoof,  which'  fome  have 
fuppofed  to  be  a  fpecific  againft  all  epileptic  diforders.  This, 
however,  may  be  confidered  as  a  vulgar  error;  as  well  as  thit 
of  its  curing  itfelf  of  this  diforder  by  applying  the  hinder 
hoof  behind  the  ear.  After  all,  this  animal  is  but  very  indif- 
ferently and  confufedly  defcribed  by  travellers  ;  each  mixing 
his  account  with  fomething  falfe  or  trivial ;  often  miftaking 
fome  other  quadruped  for  the  elk,  and  confounding  its  hif- 
tory.  Thus  fome  have  miftaken  it  for  the  rein-deer,  which, 
in  every  thing  but  ftze,  it  greatly  refembles  ;  fome  have  fup- 
pofed it  to  be  the  fame  with  the  tapurette*,  from  which  it 
entirely  differs  ;  fome  have  defcribed  it  as  the  common  red 
American  (lag,  which  fcarcely  differs  from  our  own  ;  and, 
lailly,  fome  have  confounded  it  with  the  bubalus,  which  is 
more  properly  a  gazelle  of  Africaf . 


THE    R  E  I  N-D  E  E  R. 


OF  all  animals  of  the  deer  kind,  the  rein-deer  is  the  moil: 
extraordinary  and  the  moft  ufeful.  It  is  a  native  of  the  icy 
regions  of  the  north ;  and  though  many  attempts  have  been 
made  to  accuftom  it  to  a  more  fouthern  climate,  it  fhortly 
feels  the  influence  of  the  change,  and,  in  a  few  months,  de- 
clines and  dies.  Nature  feems  to  have  fitted  it  entirely  to  an- 

*  Condamine.  f  Dapper,  Dcfcription  de  I'Afrique,  p.  17. 


88  ANIMALS  OF  THE 

fwer  the  neceiTities  of  that  hardy  race  of  mankind  that  Yivt 
near  the  pole.  As  thefe  would  find  it  impoffible  to  fubfift 
among  their  barren,  fnowy  mountains,  without  its  aid,  fo  this 
animal  can  live  only  there,  where  its  afuftance  is  moft  abfo- 
lutely  neceflary.  From  it  alone  the  natives  of  Lapland  and 
Greenland  fupply  moft  of  their  wants  ;  it^anfwers  the  purpo- 
fes  of  a  horfe,  to  convey  them  and  their  feanty  furniture  from 
one  mountain  to  another  ;  it  anfwers  the  purpofes  of  a  cow, 
in  giving  milk  ;  and  it  anfwers  the  purpofes  of  the  fheep,  in 
furnifhing  them  with  a  warm,  tho'  a  homely  kind  of  clothing. 
From  this  quadruped  alone,  therefore,  they  receive  as  many 
advantages  as  we  derive  from  three  of  our  moft  ufeful  crea- 
tures ;  fo  that  Providence  does  not  leave  thefe  poor  outcafts 
entirely  deftitute,  but  gives  them  a  faithful  domeftic,  more 
patient  and  ferviceable  than  any  other  in  nature. 

The  rein-deer  refembles  the  American  elk  in  the  fafhion  of 
its  horns.  It  is  not  eafy  in  words  to  defcribe  thefe  minute  dif- 
ferences ;  nor  will  the  reader,  perhaps,  have  a  diftincl:  idea  of 
the  fimilitude,  when  told  that  both  have  brow-antlers,  very 
large,  and  hanging  over  their  eyes,  palmated  towards  the  top, 
and  bending  forward  like  a  bow.  But  here  the  fimilitude  be- 
tween thefe  two  animals  ends ;  for,  as  the  elk  is  much  larger 
than  the  flag,  fo  the  rein-deer  is  much  fmaller.  It  is  lower  and 
ftronger  built  than  the  ftag ;  its  legs  are  fhorter  and  thicker, 
and  its  hoofs  much  broader  than  in  that  animal ;  its  hair  is 
much  thicker  and  warmer,  its  horns  much  larger  in  proportion, 
and  branching  forward  over  its  eyes  ;  its  ears  are  much  larger; 
its  pace  is  rather  a  trot  than  a  bounding,  and  this  it  can  conti- 
nue for  a  whole  day  ;  its  hoofs  are  cloven  and  moveable,  fo 
that  it  fpreads  them  abroad  as  it  goes,  to  prevent  its  finking 
in  the  fnow.  When  it  proceeds  on  a  journey,  it  lays  its  great 
horns  on  its  back,  while  there  are  two  branches  which  always 
hang  over  its  forehead,  and  almoft  cover  its  face.  One  thing 
feems  peculiar  to  this  animal  and  the  elk  ;  which  is,  that  as 
they  move  along,  their  hoofs  are  heard  to  crack  with  a  pretty 
loud  noife.  This  arifes  from  their  manner  of  treading  ;  for, 
as  they  reft  upon  their  cloven  hoof,  it  fpreads  on  the  ground. 


DEER  KIND,  89 

and  the  two  divifions  feparate  from  each  other  ;  but  when 
they  lift  it,  the  divifions  clofe  again,  and  ftrike  againft  each 
other  with  a  crack.  The  female  alfo  of  the  rein-deer  has  horns 
as  well  as  the  male,  by  which  the  fpecies  is  diftingiumed'from 
ail  other  animals  of  the  deer  kind  whatsoever. 

When  the  rein-deer  firft  fhed  their  coat  of  hair,  they  are 
brown;  but,  in  proportion  as  fummer  approaches,  their  hair 
begins  to  grow  whitifh  ;  until,  at  laft,  they  are  nearly  grey*. 
They  are,  however,  always  black  about  the  eyes.  The  neck 
has  long  hair,  hanging  down,  and  coarfer  than  upon  any  other 
part  of  the  body.  The  feet,  juft  at  the  infertion  of  the  hoof, 
are  {unrounded  with  a  ring  of  white.  The  hair  in  general 
ftands  fo  thick  over  the  whole  body,  that  if  one  fhould  at- 
tempt  to  feparate  it,  the  (kin  will  no  \\here  appear  uncover- 
ed :  whenever  it  falls  alfo,  it  is  not  feen  to  drop  from  the  root, 
as  in  other  quadrupeds,  but  feems  broken  fhort  near  the  bot- 
tom ;  fo  that  the  lower  part  of  their  hair  is  feen  growing,  while 
the  upper  falls  away. 

The  horns  of  the  female  are  made  like  thofe  of  the  male, 
except  that  they  are  fmaller  and  lefs  branching.  As  in  the  reft 
of  the  deer  kind,  they  fprout  from  the  points  ;  and  alfo  in 
the  beginning,  are  furnimed  with  a  hairy  cruft,  which  fup- 
ports  the  blood-veffels,  of  moil  exquifite  fenfibility.  The  rein- 
deer fhed  their  horns,  after  rutting-time,  at  the  latter  end  of 
November  ;  and  they  are  not  completely  furnimed  again  till 
towards  autumn.  The  female  always  retains  hers  till  (he  brings 
forth,  and  then  fheds  them,  about  the  beginning  of  Novem- 
ber. If  (he  be  barren,  however,  which  is  not  unfrequently  the 
cafe,  me  does  not  med  them  till  winter.  The  caftration  cf 
the  rein-deer  does  not  prevent  the  fhedding  of  their  horns  : 
thofe  which  are  the  ftrongcft,  cart  them  early  in  winter ;  thofe 
which  are  more  weakly,  not  fo  foon.  Thus,  from  all  thefe 
circumftances,  we  fee  how  greatly  this  animal  differs  from 

*  For  the  greateft  part  of  this  defcription  of  the  rein-deer,  I  am  obliged  to 
»ir.  Hoffherg  ;  upon  whofe  authority,  being  a  native  of  Svveden,  and  an  ex- 
perienced naturalifl,  we  may  confidently  rely. 

VOL.  II.  M 


90  ANIMALS  OF  THE 

the  common  {lag.  The  female  of  the  rein-deer  has  horns, 
which  the  hind  is  never  feen  to  have  ;  the  rein-deer,  when 
caftrated,  renews  its  horns,  which  we  are  allured  the  flag 
Hever  does  :  it  differs  not  lefs  in  its  habits  and  manner  of 
living,  being  tame,  fubmifiive,  and  patient ;  while  the  flag  is 
wild,  capricious,  and  unmanageable. 

The  rein-deer,  as  was  faid,  is  naturally  an  inhabitant  of 
the  countries  bordering  on  the  ar£lic  circle.  It  is  not  un- 
known to  the  natives  of  Siberia.  The  North- Americans  alfo 
hunt  it,  under  the  name  of  the  caribou.  But  in  Lapland,  this 
animal  is  converted  to  the  utmoil  advantage  ;  and  fome  herdf- 
men  of  that  country  are  known  to  pofiefs  above  a  thoufand 
in  a  (ingle  herd. 

Lapland  is  divided  into  ttvo  diflri6ls,  the  mountainous  and 
the  woody.     The  mountainous  part  of  the  country  is  at  bell 
barren  and   bleak,    exceffively  cold,   and   uninhabitable  dur- 
ing the  winter ;  Mill,  however,  it  is  the  mofl  defirable  part  of 
this  frightful  region   and  is  moft  thickly  peopled  during  the 
fumrner.    The  natives  generally  refide  on  the  declivity  of  the 
mountains,  three  or  four  cottages  together,  and  lead  a  chear- 
ful  and  focial  life.    Upon  the  approach  of  winter,  they  are 
obliged  to  migrate  into  the  plains  below,  each  bringing  down 
his   whole  herd,  which  often  amounts  to  more  than  a  thou- 
fand, and  leading  them  where  the  pafture  is  in  greateft  plen- 
ty. The  woody  part  of  the  country  is  much  more   defolate 
and  hideous.  The  whole  face  of  nature  there  prefents  a  fright- 
ful Icene  of  trees  without  fruits,  and  plains  without  verdure. 
As  far  as  the  eye  can  reach,  nothing  is  to  be  feen,  even  in  the 
rnidft  of  fummer,  but  barren  fields,  covered  only  with  a  mofs, 
almoft  as  white  as  fnow  ;  no  grafs,  no  flowery  landfcapes,  only 
here  and  there  a  pine-tree,  which  may  have  efcaped  the  fre- 
quent conflagrations  by  which  the  natives  burn  down  their 
forefts.  But,  what  is  very  extraordinary,  as  the  whole  furface 
of  the  country  is  clothed  in  white,  fo,  on  the  contrary,  the 
forefts  feem  to  the  lad  degree  dark  and  gloomy.   While  one 
kind  of  mofs  makes  the  fields  look  as  if  they  were  covered 
with  fnow,  another  kind  blackens  over  all  their  trees,  and  even 


DEER  KIND.  91 

hides  their  verdure.  This  mofs,  however,  which  deforms  the 
country,  ferves  for  its  only  fupport,  as  upon  it  alone  the  rein- 
deer can  fubfift.  The  inhabitants,  who,  during  the  fummer, 
lived  among  the  mountains,  drive  down  their  herds  in  winter, 
and  people  the  plains  and  woods  below.  Such  of  the  Lap- 
landers as  inhabit  the  woods  and  the  plains  all  the  year  round, 
live  remote  from  each  other,  and  having  been  ufed  to  folitude, 
are  melancholy,  ignorant,  and  helplefs.  They  are  much  poor-, 
er  alfo  than  the  mountaineers,  for,  while  one  of  thofe  is  found 
to  poflefs  a  thoufand  rein-deer  at  a  time,  none  of  thefe  are 
ever  known  to  rear  the  tenth  part  of  that  number.  The  rein- 
deer makes  the  riches  of  this  people  ;  and  the  cold  moun- 
tainy  parts  of  the  country  agree  bed  with  its  conftitution.  It  is 
for  this  reafon,  therefore,  that  the  mountains  of  Lapland  are 
preferred  to  the  woods  ;  and  that  imnv  claim  an  exclufive 
right  to  the  tops  of  hills,  covered  in  almoft  eternal  fnow. 

As  foon  as  the  fummer  begins  to  appear,  the  Laplander,  who 
had  fed  his  rein-deer  upon  the  lower  grounds,  during  the  win- 
ter, then  drives  them  up  to  the  mountains,  and  leaves  the 
woody  country,  and  the  low  pafture,  which  at  that  feafon  are 
truly  deplorable.  The  gnats,  bred  by  the  fun's  heat,  in  the 
rnarfhy  bottoms,  and  the  weedy  lakes,  with  which  the  country 
abounds  more  than  any  other  part  of  the  world,  are  all  upon 
the  wing,  and  fill  the  whole  air,  like  clouds  of  duft,  in  a  dry 
windy  day.  The  inhabitants,  at  that  time,  are  obliged  to  daub 
their  faces  with  pitch,  mixed  with  milk,  to  fhield  their  (kins 
from  their  depredations.  All  places  are  then  fo  greatly  infefted, 
that  the  poor  natives  can  fcarce  open  their  mouths  without 
fear  of  fuffocation  ;  the  infects  enter,  from  their  numbers  and 
minutenefs,  into  the  noftrils  and  the  eyes,  and  do  not  leave  the 
fufFerer  a  moment  at  his  eafe.  But  they  are  chiefly  enemies  to 
the  rein-deer  :  the  horns  of  that  animal  being  then  in  their 
tender  ftate,  and  poflefTed  of  extreme  fenfibility,  a  famiihed 
cloud  of  infects  inftantly  fettle  upon  them,  and  drive  the  poor 
animal  almoft  to  diftracHon.  In  this  extremity,  there  are  but 
two  remedies,  to  which  the  quadruped,  as  well  as  its  mafter, 
are  obliged  to  have  recourfe.  The  one  is,  for  both  to  take  iheU 


92  ANIMALS  OF  THE 

ter  near.their  cottage,  where  a  large  fire  of  tree  mofs  is  prepar- 
ed, which,  filling  the  whole  place  with  fmoke,  keeps  off  the 
gnat,  and  thus,  by  one  inconvenience,  expels  a  greater  •,  the 
other  is,  to  afcend  to  the  higheft  fummit  of  the  mountains, 
where  the  air  is  too  thin,  and  the  weather  too  cold,  for  the 
gnats  to  come.  There  the  rein-deer  are  feen  to  continue  the 
whole  day,  although  without  food,  rather  than  to  venture 
down  to  the  lower  parts,  where  they  can  have  no  defence 
againfh  their  unceafing  perfecutors. 

Befides  the  gnat,  there  is  alfo  a  gadfly,  that,  during  the  fum- 
mer  feafon,  is  no  lefs  formidable  to  them.  This  infecl:  is  bred 
under  their  fkins,  where  the  egg  has  been  depofited  the  prece- 
ding fummer  •,  and  it  is  no  fooner  produced  as  a  flyx  than  it 
again  endeavours  to  depofite  its  eggs  in  fome  place  fimilar  to 
that  from  whence  it  came.  Whenever,  therefore,  it  appears 
flying  over  a  herd  of  rein-deer,  it  puts  the  whole  body,  how 
numerous  foever,  into  motion  ;  they  know  their  enemy,  and 
do  all  they  can,  by  tofling  their  horns,  and  running  among 
each  other,  to  terrify  or  avoid  it.  All  their  endeavours,  how- 
ever, are  too  generally  without  effecl:  ;  the  gadfly  is  feen  to 
depofire  its  eggs,  which,  burrowing  under  the  fkin,  wound  it 
in  feveral  places,  and  often  brings  on  an  incurable  diforder. 

In  the  morning,  therefore,  as  foon  as  the  Lapland  herdfman 
drives  his  deer  to  pafture,  his  greateft  care  is  to  keep  them 
from  fcaling  the  fummits  of  the  mountains  where  there  is  no 
food,  but  where  they  go  merely  to  be  at  eafe  from  the  gnats  and 
gadflies  that  are  ever  annoying  them.  At  this  time,  there  is  a 
conteil  between  the  dogs  and  the  deer  ;  the  one  endeavouring 
to  climb  up  againft  the  fide  of  a  hill,  and  to  gain  thofe  fummits 
that  are  covered  in  eternal  fnows  ;  the  other,  forcing  them 
down,  by  barking  and  threatening,  and,  in  a  manner,  compel- 
ling them  into  the  places  where  their  food  is  in  the  greateft 
plenty.  There  the  men  and  dogs  confine  them  •,  guarding 
them  with  the  utmoft  precaution  the  whole  day,  and  driving 
them  home  at  the  proper  feafons  for  milking. 

The  female  brings  forth  in  the  middle  of  May,  and  gives 
milk  till  about  the  middle  of  October.  Every  morning  and 
evening,  during  the  fummer,  the  herdfman  returns  to  the  cot- 


DEER    K  I  N  D.  *3 

tage  with  his  deer  to  be  milked,  where  the  women  previouily 
have  kindled  up  a  fmoky  fire,  which  effectually  drives  off  the 
gnats,  and  keeps  the  rein-deer  quiet  while  milking, 
male  furnifhes  about  a  pint,  which  though  thinner  than  that  of 
the  cow,  isneverthelefs  fwceter  and  more  nouriihing.  This  done, 
the  herdfman  drives  them  back  to  pafture  ;  as  he  neither  folds 
nor  houfes  them,  neither  provides  for  their  fubfiitence  during 
the  winter,  nor  improves  their  pafture  by  cultivation. 

Upon  the  return  of  winter,  when  the  gnats  and  flies  are  no 
longer  to  be  feared,  the  Laplander  defcends  into  the  lower 
grounds  ;  and,  as  there  are  but  few  to  difpute  the  poffeflion 
of  that  defolate  country,  he  has  an  extenfive  range  to  feed  them 
in.  Their  chief  and  almoft  their  only  food  at  that  time,  is  the 
white  mofs  already  mentioned  ;  which,  from  its  being  fed 
upon  by  this  animal,  obtains  the  name  of  the  lichen  rangiferlnus. 
This  is  of  two  kinds  :  the  woody  lichen,  which  covers  almofl 
all  the  defert  parts  of  the  country  like  fnow  ;  the  other  is  black, 
and  covers  the  branches  of  the  trees  in  very  great  quantities. 
However  unpleafmg  thefe  may  be  to  the  fpeclator,  the  'native 
efteems  them  as  one  of  his  choiceft  benefits,  and  the  mod 
indulgent  gift  of  nature.  While  his  fields  are  clothed 
with  mofs,  he  envies  neither  the  fertility  nor  the  verdure  of 
the  more  fouthern  landfcape  j  drefled  up  warmly  in  his  deer- 
fkin  clothes,  with  fhoes  and  gloves  of  the  fame  materials, 
he  drives  his  herds  along  the  defert  ;  fearlefs  and  at  e?.fe,  ig- 
norant of  any  higher  luxury  than  what  their  milk  and  frnoke- 
dried  fiefh  afford  him.  Hardened  to  the  climate,  he  fleeps  in 
the  midft  of  ice  ;  or  awaking,  dozes  away  his  time  with  to- 
bacco ;  while  his  faithful  dogs  fupplv  his  pi. ice,  and  keep  ths 
herd  from  wandering.  The  deer,  in  the  mean  time,  with  in- 
itin&s  adapted  to  the  foil,  purfue  their  food,  though  covered 
in  the  deeped  fnow.  1  hey  turn  it  up  with  their  nofes,  like 
fv/me  •,  and  even  though  its  furface  be  frozen  and  fliif,  yet  the 
hide  is  fo  hardened  in  that  part,  that  they  eafily  overcome  the 
difficulty.  It  fometimes,  however,  happens,  though  but  rarely, 
that  the  winter  commences  with  rain,  and  a  froft  enfuing, 
covers  the  whole  country  with  a  glazed  cruft  of  ice.  Then,  in- 
deed, both  die  rein-deer  and  the  Laplander  are  undone  ;  they 


94  ANIMALS  OF  THE 

have  no  provifions  laid  up  in  cafe  of  accident,  and  the  only 
refource  is  to  cut  down  the  large  pine-trees,  that  are  covered 
with  mofs,  which  furnifhes  but  a  fcanty  fupply  ;  fo  that  the 
greateft  part  of  the  herd  is  then  feen  to  perifh,  without  a  pof- 
fibility  of  afliftance.  It  fometimes  alfo  happens,  that  even  this 
fupply  is  wanting  ;  for  the  Laplander  often  burns  down  his 
woods,  in  order  to  improve  and  fertilize  the  foil  which  produ- 
ces the  mofs,  upon  which  he  feeds  his  cattle. 

In  this  manner  the  paftoral  life  is  ftiil  continued  near  the; 
pole  ;  neither  the  coldnefs  of  the  winter,  nor  the  length  of 
the  nights,  neither  the  wildnefs  of  the  forell,  nor  the  vagrant 
difpofition  of  the  herd,  interrupt  the  even  tenour  of  the  Lap- 
lander's life.  By  night  and  day  he  is  feen  attending  his  favou- 
rite cattle,  and  remains  unaffected,  in  a  feafon  which  would  be 
fpeedy  death  to  thofe  bred  up  in  a  milder  climate.  He  gives 
himfelf  no  uneafinefs  to  houfe  his  herds,  or  to  provide  a  win- 
ter fubfiftence  for  them  ;  he  is  at  the  trouble  neither  of  ma- 
nuring his  grounds,  nor  bringing  in  his  harvests  ;  he  is  not  the 
hireling  of  another's  luxury  j  all  his  labours  are  to  obviate  the 
neccffities  of  his  own  fituation  ;  and  thefe  he  undergoes  with 
cheerfulnefs,  as  he  is  fure  to  enjoy  the  fruits  of  his  own  induf- 
try.  If,  therefore,  we  compare  ihe  Laplander  with  the  peafant 
of  more  fouthern  climates,  we  mall  have  little  reafon  to  pity 
his  fituation  ;  the  climate  in  which  he  lives  is  rather  terrible  to 
us  than  to  him  ;  and,  as  for  the  reft,  he  is  bleiTed  with  liberty, 
plenty,  and  eafe.  The  rein-deer  alone  fupplies  him  with  all 
the  wants  of  life,  and  fome  of  the  conveniencies,  ferving  to- 
ihow  how  many  advantages  nature  is  capable  of  fupplying, 
when  neceflity  gives  the  call.  Thus,  the  poor  little  helplefs 
native,  who  was  originally,  perhaps,  driven  by  fear  or  famine 
into  thofe  inhofpitable  climates,  would  feem,  at  firft  view,  to 
be  the  moft  wretched  of  mankind  ;  but  it  is  far  otherwife  ;  he 
looks  round  among  ths  few  wild  animals  that  his  barren 
country  can  maintain,  and  fingles  out  one  from  among  them, 
and  that  of  a  kind  which  the  reft  of  mankind  have  not  thought 
worth  taking  from  a  ftate  of  nature  ;  this  he  cultivates,  propa- 
gates, and  multiplies;  and  from  this  alone  derives  every  comfort 
that  can  foften  the  feverity  of  his  fituation. 


DEER  KIND.  95 

The  rein-deer  of  this  country  are  of  two  kinds,  the  wild  aiv* 
the  tame.  The  wild  are  larger  and  ftronger,  but  more  mifchiev- 
ous  tian  the  others.  Their  breed,  however,  is  preferred  to 
that  of  the  tame  •,  and  the  female  of  the  latter  is  often  fent  in- 
to the  woods,  from  whence  (he  returns  home  impregnated  by 
one  of  the  wild  kind.  Thefe  are  fitter  for  drawing  the  fledge, 
to  which  the  Laplander  accuftoms  them  betimes,  and  yokes 
them  to  it  by  a  ftrap,  which  goes  round  the  neck,  and  comes 
down  between  their  legs.  The  fledge  is  extremely  light,  and 
Ihod  at  the  bottom,  with  the  ikin  of  a  young  deer,  the  hair 
turned  to  flide  on  the  frozen  fnow.  The  perfon  who  fits  on  this, 
guides  the  animal  with  a  cord,  fattened  raund  the  herns,  and 
encourages  it  to  proceed  wich  his  voice,  and  drives  it  with  a 
goad.  Some  of  the  wild  breed,  though  by  far  the  ftrongefr,  are 
yet  found  refractory,  and  often  turn  upon  their  drivers  ;  who 
have  then  no  other  refource  but  to  cover  themfelves  with  their 
fledge,  and  let  the  animal  vent  its  fury  upon  that.  But  it  is 
etherwife  with  thofe  that  are  tame :  no  creature  can  be  more 
acYive,  patient,  and  willing :  when  hard  pufhed,  they  will  trot 
nine  or  ten  Swedim  miles,  or  between  fifty  and  fixty  Engliih 
miles,  at  one  ftretch.  But,  in  fuch  a  cafe,  the  poor  obedient 
creature  fatigues  itfelf  to  death  ;  and,  if  not  prevented  by  the 
Laplander,  v.  ho  kills  it  immediately,  it  will  die  a  day  or  two 
after.  In  general,  they  can  go  about  thirty  miles  without  halt- 
ing, and  this  witnout  any  great  or  dangerous  efforts.  This, 
which  is  the  only  manner  of  travelling  in  that  country,  can  be 
performed  only  in  winter,  when  the  fnow  is  glazed  over  with 
ice  :  and  although  it  be  a  very  fpeedy  method  of  conveyance, 
yet  it  is  inconvenient,  dangerous,  and  troublefome. 

In  order  to  make  thefe  animals  more  obedient,  and  more 
generally  ferviceable,  they  caftrate  them  ;  which  operation  the 
Laplanders  perform  with  their  tee&  ;  thefe  become  fooner  fat 
when  taken  from  labour  ;  and  they  are  found  to  be  ftronger  in 
drawing  the  fledge.  There  is  ufually  one  male  left  entire  for 
every  fix  females ;  thefe  are  in  rut  from  the  feaft  of  Sr.  Mat- 
thew to  about  Michaelmas.  At  this  time,  their  horns  are  tho- 
roughly burnimed,  and  their  battles  among  each  other  are  fierce 


AMMALS  OF  THE 

obftinate.  The  females  do  not  begin  to  breed  till  they  ;uje 
years  old  ;  and  then  they  continue  regularly  breeding  every 
year  till  they  are  fuperannuated.  They  go  \vith  young  above 
eight  months,  aud  generally  bring  forth  two  at  a  time.  The 
fondnefs  of  the  dam  for  her  young  is  very  remarkable  ;  it  often 
happens  that  when  they  are  fepara ted  from  her,  me  will  return 
from  pafture,  keep  calling  round  the  cottage  for  them,  and 
will  not  defiftj  until,  dead  or  alive,  they  are  brought  and  laid  at 
her  feet.  They  are  at  firfl  of  a  light  brov\rn  5  but  they  become 
darker  with  age  ;  and,  at  lad,  the  old  ones  are  of  a  brown  almoil 
approaching  to  blacknefs.  The  young  fellow  the  dam  for  two 
or  three  years  ;  but  they  do  not  acquire  their  full  growth  until 
four.  They  are  then  broke  in,  and  managed  for  drawing  the 
fledge  ;  and  they  continue  ferviceable  for  four  or  live  years  lon- 
ger. They  never  live  above  fifteen  or  fixteen  years  ;  and,  when 
they  arrive  at  the  proper  age,  the  Laplander  generally  kills 
them  for  the  fake  of  their  (kins  and  their  flefh.  This  he  per- 
forms by  (biking  them  on  the  back  of  the  neck,  with  his  knife, 
into  the  fpinal  marrow ;  upon  which  they  inflantly  fall,  and 
he  then  cuts  the   arteries  that  lead  to  the  heart,  and  lets  the 
blood  difcharge  itfelf  into  the  cavity  of  the  bread. 

There  is  fcarce  any  part  of  this  animal  that  is  not  conver- 
ted to  its  peculiar  ufes.  As  foon  as  it  begins  to  j^row  old,  and 
fome  time  before  the  rut,  it  is  killed,  and  the  flefh  dried  in  the 
air.  It  is  alfo  fometimes  hardened  with  fmoke,  and  laid  up  for 
travelling  provifion,  when  the  natives  migrate  from  one  part  of 
the  country  to  another.  During  the  winter,  the  rain-deer  are 
flaughtered  as  fheep  with  us  j  and  every  four  perfons  in  the  fa- 
mily are  allowed  one  rein-deer  for  their  week's  fubfiftence.  In 
fpring,  they  fpare  the  herd  as  much  as  they  can,  and  live  upon 
frem  fifli.  In  fummcr,  the  milk  and  curd  of  the  rein-deer  make 
their  chief  provifion  ;  and,  in  autumn^  they  live  wholly  upon 
fowls,  which  they  kill  with  a  crofs-bow,  or  catch  in  fpringes. 
Nor  is  this  fo  fcanty  an  allowance  ;  fmce,  at  that  time,  the  fea- 
fowls  come  in  fuch  abundance,  that  their  ponds  and  fprings  are 
covered  over.  Thefe  are  not  fo  fhy  as  with  us,  but  yield  them- 
felves  an  eafy  prey.  They  are  chiefly  allured  to  thofe  places  by 
the  fwarms  cf  gnats  which  inieft  the  country  during  fummer, 


DEER    KIND.  97 

and  now  repay  die  former  inconveniencies,  by  inviting  fuch 
numbers  of  birds,  as  fupply  the  natives  with  food  a  fourth  part 
of  the  year,  in  great  abundance. 

The  milk,  when  newly  taken,  is  warmed  in  a  cauldron,  and 
thickened  with  rennet,  and  then  the  •  curd  is  prefled  into 
cheefes,  which  are  little  and  well  tailed.  Thefe  are  never  found 
to  breed  mites  as  the  cheeie  of  other  countries,  probably 
becaufe  the  mite  fly  is  not  to  be  found  in  Lapland.  The  whey 
which  remains  is  warmed  up  again,  and  becomes  of  a  confii- 
tence  as  if  thickened  with  the  white  of  eggs.  Upon  this  the 
Laplanders  feed  during  the  fummer  j  it  is  pleafant  and  well 
tafted,  but  not  very  nourishing.  As  to  butter,  they  very  fei- 
dom  make  any,  becaufe  the  milk  affords  but  a  very  fmall  quan- 
tity, and  this,  both  in  tafte  and  confidence,  is  more  nearly  re- 
fembling  to  fuet.  They  never  keep  their  milk  till  it  turns  four  • 
and  do  not  drefs  it  into  the  variety  of  dilhes  which  the  more 
fouthern  countries  are  known  to  do.  The  only  delicacy  they 
make  from  it  is  with  wood  forrel,  which  being  boiled  up  with 
it,  and  coagulating,  the  whole  is  put  into  cafks,  or  deer-fkins  ; 
and  kept  under  ground  to  be  eaten  in  winter. 

The  fkin  is  even  a  more  valuable  part  of  this  animal  than 
cither  of  the  former.  From  that  part  of  it  which  covered  the 
head  and  feet,  they  make  their  ftrong  fnow  (hoes  with  the  hair 
on  the  outfide.  Of  the  other  parts,  they  compofe  their  garments, 
which  are  extremely  warm,  and  which  cover  them  all  over. 
The  hair  of  thefe  alfo  is  on  the  outfide ;  and  they  fometimes 
line  them  within  with  the  fur  of  the  glutton,  or  fome  other 
warm-furred  animal  of  that  climate.  Thefe  fkins  alfo  ferve 
them  for  beds.  They  fpread  them  on  each  fide  of  the  fire,  upon 
fome  leaves  of  the  dwarf  birch-tree,  and  in  this  manner  lie  both 
foft  and  warm.  Many  garments,  made  of  the  (kin  of  the  rain- 
deer,  are  fold  every  year  to  the  inhabitants  of  the  more  fouthern 
parts  of  Europe ;  and  they  are  found  fo  ferviceable  in  keeping 
out  the  cold,  that  even  people  of  the  firffc  rank  are  known  to 
wear  them. 

In  fhort,  no  part  of  this  animal  is  thrown  away  as  ufelefs. 
VOL.  II.  N 


98  ANIMALS  OF  THE 

The  blood  is  preferved  in  fmall  cafks,  to  make  fauce  with  the 
marrow  in  fpring.  The  horns  are  fold  to  be  converted  into 
glue.  The  fmews  are  dried,  and  divided  fo  as  to  make  the 
ftrongeft  kind  of  fowing  thread,  not  unlike  catgut.  The 
tongues,  which  are  confidered  as  a  great  delicacy,  are  dried, 
and  fold  into  the  more  fouthern  provinces.  The  inteftines 
themfelves  are  wailied  like  our  tripe,  and  in  high  efteem 
among  the  natives.  Thus  the  Laplander  finds  all  his  neceffi- 
ties  amply  fupplied  from  this  firtgle  animal  ,  and  he  who  has 
a  large  herd  of  thefe  animals,  has  no  idea  of  higher  luxury. 

But,  although  the  rein-deer  be  a  very  hardy  and  vigorous 
animal,  it  is  not  without  its  difeafes.  I  have  already  mention- 
ed the  pain  it  feels  from  the  gnat,  and  the  apprehenfions  it 
is  under  from  the  gadfly.  Its  hide  is  often  found  pierced  in 
a  hundred  places,  like  a  fieve,  from  this  in  feel,  and  not  a, 
few  die  in  their  third  year,  from  this- very  caufe.  Their  teats 
alfo  are  fubjecl  to  cracking,  fo  that  blood  comes  inftead  of 
milk.  They  fometimes  take  a  loathing  for  their  food  ;  and, 
inftead  of  eating,  ftand  flill,  and  chew  the  cud.  They  are  alfo 
troubled  with  a  vertigo,  like  the  elk,  and  turn  round  often  till 
they  die.  The  Laplander  judges  of  their  flate  by  the  manner 
of  their  turning.  If  they  turn  to  the  right,  he  judges  their  dif- 
order  but  flight ;  if  they  turn  to  the  left,  he  deems  it  incurable, 
The  rein-deer  are  alfo  fubjecl;  to  ulcers  near  the  hoof,  which 
unqualify  them  for  travelling,  or  keeping  with  the  herd.  But 
the  moft  fatal  diforder  of  all,  is  that  which  the  natives  call 
the  fuddataka,  which  attacks  this  animal  at  all  feafons  of  the 
year.  The  inftant  it  is  feized  with  this  difeafe,  it  begins  to 
breathe  with  greater  difficulty,  its  eyes  begin  to  ftare,  and 
its  noftrils  to  expand.  It  acquires  alfo  an  unufual  degree  of 
ferocity,  and  attacks  all  it  meets  indifcriminately.  Still,  how- 
ever, it  continues  to  feed  as  if  in  health,  but  is  not  feen  to 
chew  the  cud,  and  it  lies  down  more  frequently  than  before. 
In  this  manner  it  continues,  every  day  confuming  and  grow- 
ing more  lean,  till  at  laft  it  dies  from  mere  inanition ;  and 
net  one  of  thefe  that  are  attacked  with  this  diforder  are  ever 
found  to  recover.  Notwithftaning,  it  is  but  very  lately  known  in 


DEER  KIND.  99 

that  part  of  the  world  ;  although,  during  the  Lift  ten  or  fif- 
teen years,  it  has  fpoiled  whole  provinces  of  this  necefiary 
creature.  It  is  contagious  ;  and  the  moment  the  Laplander 
perceives  any  of  his  herd  infecled,  he  haftens  to  kill  them 
immediately,  before  it  fpreads  any  farther.  When  examined 
internally,  there  is  a  frothy  fubftance  found  in  the  brain,  and 
round  the  lungs:  the  inteftines  are  lax  and  flabby,  and  the 
fpleen  is  diminifhed  almoft  to  nothing.  The  Laplander's  only 
cure,  in  all  thefe  diforders,  is  to  anoint  the  animal's  back  with 
tar ;  if  this  does  not  fucceed,  he  confiders  the  difeafe  as  be- 
yond  the  power  of  art  •,  and,  with  his  natural  phlegm,  fub- 
mils  to  the  feverities  of  fortune. 

Befides  the  internal  maladies  of  this  animal,  there  are  fome 
external  enemies  which  it  has  to  fear.  The  bears  now  and: 
then  make  depredations  upon  the  herd  ;  but,  of  all  their  per- 
fecutors,  the  creature  called  the  glutton  is  the  moft  dange- 
rous and  the  moft  fuccefsful.  The  war  between  thefe  is  car* 
ried  on  not  lefs  in  Lapland  than  in  North- America,  where 
the  rein-deer  is  called  the  caribou,  and  the  glutton  the  car-, 
cajou.  This  animal,  which  is  not  above  the  fi2e  of  a  badger, 
waits  whole  weeks  together  for  its  prey,  hid  in  the  branches 
of  fome  fpreading  tree ;  and  when  the  wild  rein-deer  pafles 
underneath,  it  h.ftantly  drops  down  upon  it,  fixing  its  teeth 
and  claws  into  the  neck,  juft  behind  the  horns.  It  is  in  vain, 
that  the  wounded  animal  then  flies  for  protection,  that  it  ruf- 
tles  among  the  branches  of  the  foreft,  the  glutton  ft  ill  holds  its  - 
former  poiltion  ;  and,  although  it  often  lofes  a  part  of  its 
fidn  and  flefh,  which  are  rubbed  off  againft  the  trees,  yet  it 
ftill  keeps  fail,  until  its  prey,  drops  with  fatigue  and  lofs  of 
blood.  The  deer  has  but  one  only  method  of  efcape,  which 
is  by  jumping  into  the  water  ;  that  element  its  enemy  can- 
not endure  ;  for,  as  we  are  told,  it  quits  its  hold  immediately, 
and  then  thinks  only  of  providing  for  its  own  proper  fecurity, 


QUADRUPEDS  OF  THE 


CHAP.    VI. 

Of  Qiikdrupeds  of  the  Hog  Ki 

ANIMALS  of  the  hog  kind  feem  to  unite  in  thcmfelves 
all  thofe  diftiriclions  by  which  others  are  feparated. 
They  refemble  thofe  of  the  horfe  kind  in  the  number  of  their 
teeth,  which  in  all  amount  to  forty-four,  in  the  length  of  their 
head,  and  in  having  but  a  fingle  ftomach.  They  refemble  the 
cow  kind  in  their  cloven  hoofs  and  the  pofition  of  their  in- 
terlines ;  and  they  refemble  thofe  of  the  claw-  footed  kind  in 
their  appetite  for  flefh,  in  their  not  chewing  the  cud,  and  in 
their  numerous  progeny.  Thus  this  fpecies  ferves  to  fill  up 
that  chafm  which  is  found  between  the  carnivorous  kinds  and 
thofe  that  live  upon  grafs  :  being  poileffed  of  the  ravenous 
appetite  of  the  one,  and  the  inoffenfive  nature  of  the  other. 
We  may  confider  them,  therefore,  as  of  a  middle  nature, 
which  we  can  refer  neither  to  the  rapacious  nor  the  peaceful 
kinds,  and  yet  partaking  fomewhat  of  the  nature  of  both. 
Like  the  rapacious  kinds,  they  are  found  to  have  fhort  in- 
teftines  ;  their  hoofs  alfo,  though  cloven  to  the  fight,  will, 
upon  anatomical  infpeclion,  appear  to  be  fupplied  with  bones 
like  beafts  of  prey  ;  and  the  number  of  their  teats  alfo  in- 
creafe  the  fimilitude  :  on  the  other  hand,  in  a  natural  ftate, 
they  live  upon  vegetables,  and  feldom  feek  after  animal  food, 
except  when  urged  by  neceflity.  They  offend  no  other  ani- 
mal of  the  foreft,  at  the  fame  time  that  they  are  furnifhed 
with  arms  to  terrify  the  braved. 

The  wild  boar,  which  is  the  original  of  all  the  varieties 
we  find  in  this  creature,  is  by  no  means  fo  ftupid  nor  fo  filthy 
an  animal  as  that  we  have  reduced  to  tamenefs  ;  he  is  much 
fmaller  than  the  tame  hog,  and  does  not  vary  in  his  colour  as 
thofe  of  the  dorneftic  kind  do,  but  is  always  found  of  an  iron 
rrey,  inclining  to  black  ;  his  fnout  is  much  longer  than  that 
of  the  tame  hog,  and  the  ears  are  morter,  rounder,  and  black  j 


HOG  KIND.  101 

of  which  colour  are  alfo  the  feet  and  the  tail.  He  roots  the 
ground  in  a  different  manner  from  the  common  hog  ;  for  as 
this  turns  up  the  earth  in  little  fpots  here  and  there,  fo  the 
wild  boar  plows  it  up  like  a  furrow,  and  does  irreparable  da- 
mage in  the  cultivated  lands  of  the  farmer.  The  tuflcs  alfo  of 
this  animal  are  larger  than  in  the  tame-bred,  fome  of  them 
being  feen  almoft  a  foot  long*.  Thefe,  as  is  well  known,  grow 
from  both  the  under  and  upper  jaw,  bend  upwards  circularly, 
and  are  exceeding  fharp  at  the  points.  They  differ  from  the 
tuflcs  of  the  elephant  in  this,  that  they  never  fall  ^  and  it  is 
remarkable  of  all  the  hog  kind,  that  they  never  ihed  their 
teeth  as  other  animals  are  feen  to  do.  The  tufks  of  the  lower 
jaw  are  always  the  mod  to  be  dreaded,  and  are  found  to  give 
very  terrible  wounds. 

The  wild  boar  can  properly  be  called  neither  a  folitary  nor 
a  gregarious  animal.  The  three  firft  years  the  whole  litter 
follows  the  fow,  and  the  family  lives  in  a  herd  together.  They 
are  then  called  beafls  of  company,  and  unite  their  common 
forces  againfl  the  invafions  of  the  wolf,  or  the  more  formi- 
dable beafts  of  prey.  Upon  this  their  principal  fafety  while 
young  depends,  for,  when  attacked,  they  give  each  other  mu- 
tual afliftance,  calling  to  each  other  with  a  very  loud  and 
fierce  note ;  the  ftrongeft  face  the  danger ;  they  form  a  ring, 
and  the  weakeft  fall  into  the  centre.  In  this  pofition,  few  ra- 
venous beafts  dare  venture  to  attack  them,  but  purfue  the 
chace  where  there  is  lefs  refiftance  and  danger.  However, 
when  the  wild  boar  is  come  to  a  (late  of  maturity,  and  when 
confcious  of  his  own  fuperior  ftrength,  he  then  walks  the  fo- 
reft  alone,  and  fearlefs.  At  that  time  he  dreads  no  fingle 
creature,  nor  does  he  turn  out  of  his  way  even  for  man  him- 
felf.  He  does  not  feek  danger,  and  he  does  not  much  feem  to 
avoid  it. 

This  animal  is  therefore  feldom  attacked,  but  at  a  difad- 
vantage,  either  by  numbers,  or  when  found  fleeping  by  moon- 
light. The  hunting  the  wild  boar  is  one  of  the  principal 

*  Ikffcn,  vol.  ix.  p.  147, 


TC2  QUADRUPEDS  OF  THE 

amufcmenls  of  the  nobility  in  thofe  countries  where  it  is  to 
be  found*  The  dogs  provided  for  this  fport  are  of  the  flow 
heavy  kind.  Thofe  ufed  for  hunting  the  flag,  or  the  roe-buck^ 
would  be  very  improper,  as  they  would  too  foon  come  up  with 
their  prey  ;  and,  inftead  of  a  chaee,  would  only  furnifh  out 
an  engagement,  A  fmall  raafliffis  therefore  chofen  •,  nor  are 
the  hunters  much  mindful  of  the  goodnefs  of  their  nofe,  as 
the  wild  boar  leaves  fo  ftrong  a  fcent,  that  it  is  impoffible  fox? 
them  to  miftake  its  courfc.  They  newer- hunt  any  but  the  lar* 
gefl  and  the  oldeft,  which  are  known  by  their  tracks.  When 
the  boar  is  rear'-d*  srs  is  the  exprefiion  of  driving  him  from 
his  covert,  he  goes  Howly  and  uniformly  forward,  not.  much 
afraid,  nor  very  far  before  his  purfuers.  At  the  end  of  every 
half  mile,  or  thereabouts,  he  turns  round,  {lops  till  the  hounds, 
come  up,  and  offers  to  attack  them.  Thefe,  on  the  other  hand, 
knowing  their  danger,  keep,  off,  and  bay  him  at  a  diftance. 
After  they  have  for  a  while  gazed  upon  each  other,  with  mu- 
tual animofity,  the  boar  again  flowly  goes  on  his  courfe,  and, 
the  dogs  renew  their  purfuit.  In  this  manner  the  charge  is  fuk 
tained,  and  the  chace  continues  till  the  boar  is  quite  tired,  and; 
refufes  t;o  go  any  farther.  The  dogs  then  attempt  to  clofe  in, 
upon  him  from  behind  ;  thofe  which  are  young,  fierce,  and 
tinaccuftomed  m'the  chace,  are  generally  the  foremoft,  and; 
often  lofe  their  Hv^s  by  their  ardour.  Thofe  which  are  older 
and  better  trained,  are  content  to  wait  until  the  hunters  come 
up,  who  ftrike  at  him  with  their  fpears,  an<J,  after  feveral 
blows,  difpatchordifable  him.  The  inflant  the  animal  is  knV 
led,  they  cut  off  the  tefticles  which  would  otherwife  give  a 
taint  to  the  flcih  •,  and  the  buRtfmen  celebrate  the.  victory 
with  their  horns. 

The  hog,  in  a  natural  ftate,  Is  found  to  feed  chiefly  upon 
roots  and  vegetables  ;  it  feldom  attacks  any  other  animal,  be- 
ing content  with  fuch  provifions  as  it  procures  without  danger.. 
Whatever  animal  happens  to  die  in  the  foreft,  or  is  fo  wound- 
ed that  it  can  make  no  refiftance,  becomes  a  prey  to  the  hog, 
who  feldom  refufes  animal  food,  how  putrid  foever,  although 
it  is  never  at  the  pains  of  taking  or  procuring  it  alive.  For 


HOG  KIND.,  103 

this  reafon,  it  fcems  a  glutton  rather  by  accident  than  choice, 
content  with  vegetable  food,  and  only  devouring  flefh  when 
prefled  by  neceflity,  and  when  it  happens  to  offer.  Indeed, 
if  we  behold  the  hog  in  its  domeftic  (late,  it  is  the  mod  for- 
did and  brutal  animal  in  nature*.  The  aukwardnefs  of  its 
form  feems  to  influence  its  appetites  ;  and  all  its  fenfation* 
are  as  grofs  as  its  fliapes  are  unfightly.  It  feems  pofiefied  only 
of  an  infatiable  defire  of  eating  ;  and  feems  to  make  choice 
only  of  what  other  animals  find  the  mod  ofrenfive.  But  we 
ought  to  confider  that  the  hog  with  us  is  in  an  unnatural 
ftate,  and  that  it  is  in  a  manner  compelled  to  feed  in  this 
filthy  manner  from  wanting  that  proper  nourifhment  which 
it  finds  in  the  foreft.  "When  in  a  ftate  of  wildnefs,  it  is  of  all 
other  quadrupeds  the  mod  delicate  in  the  choice  of  what  ve- 
getables it  (hall  feed  on,  and  rejects  a  greater  number  than 
sny  of  the  reft.  The  cow,  for  inftance,  a3  we  are  affured  by- 
Linnaeus,  eats  two  hundred  and  feventy-fix  plants,  and  re- 
jects two  hundred  and  eighteen  -,  the  goat  eats  four  hundred 
and  forty-nine,  and  rejects  a  hundred  and  twenty-fix  j  the* 
flieepeats  three  hundred  and  eighty-feven,  and  rejects  a  hun- 
dred and  forty-one  ;  the  horfe  eats  two  hundred  and  fixty- 
t\vo,  and  rejects  two  hundred  and  twelve  ;  but  the  hog,  more 
nice  in  its  provifion  than  any  of  the  former,  eats  but  feventy- 
two  plants,  and  rejects  a  hundred  and  fevenry-one.  The  inde- 
licacy of  this  animal  is,  therefore,  rather  in  our  apprehenfions 
than  in  its  nature  ;  fince  we  find  it  makes  a  very  diftinguim- 
ing  choice  in  the  quality  of  its  food ;  and,  if  it  does  not  re- 
ject animal  putrefaction,  it  may  becaufe  it  is  abridged  in  that 
food  which  is  mod  wholefome  and  agreeable  to  it  in  a  date 
of  nature.  This  is  certain,  that  its  palate  is  not  infenfible  to 
the  difference  of  eatables  5  for,  where  it  finds  variety,  it  will 
reject  the  word,  \\ith  as  didinguifhing  a  tade  as  any  other 
quadruped  whatfoeverf .  -  In  the  orchards  of  peach-trees  in 
North- America,  where  the  hog  has  plenty  of  delicious  food, 
it  is  obfervcd,  that  it  will  reject  the  fruit  dial  has  lain  but  a 

•  Buffon,  Tol.  ix.  p.  14>        f  Britifh  Zoology,  vol.  i.  p.  42. 


io4  QJJADRUPEDS   OF  THE 

few  hours  on  the  ground,  and  continue  on  the  watch  whole 
hours  together  for  a  frefh  windfall. 

However,  the  hog  is  naturally  formed  in  a  more  imperfecl: 
manner  than  the  other  animals  that  we  have  rendered  domef- 
tic  around  us,  lefs  active  in  its  motions,  lefs  furnifhed  with 
inftinft  in  knowing  what  to  purfue  or  avoid.  Without  attach- 
ment, and  incapable  of  inftruction,  it  continues,  while  it  lives, 
an  ufelefs,  or  rather  a  rapacious  dependant.  The  coarfenefs 
of  its  hair,  and  the  thicknefs  of  its  hide,  together  with  the 
thick  coat  of  fat  that  lies  immediately  under  the  {kin,  render 
It  infenfible  to  blows,  or  rough  ufage.  Mice  have  been  known 
to  burrow  in  the  back  of  thefe  animals  while  fattening  in 
the  fty*,  without  their  feeming  to  perceive  it.  Their  other 
fenfes  feern  to  be  in  tolerable  perfection  ;  they  fcent  the 
hounds  at  a  diftance  ;  and,  as  we  have  feen,  they  are  not  infen-* 
fible  in  the  choice  of  their  provisions.. 

The  hog  is5  by  nature,  ftupid,  inactive,  and  droufy  ;  if  un- 
elifturbed,  it  would  fleep  half  its  time  ;  but  it  is  frequently 
awaked  by  the  calls  of  appetite,  which,  when  it  has  fatisfied, 
it  goes  to  reft  again.  Its  whole  life  is  thus  a  round  of  fleep 
and  gluttony  -,  and  if  fupplied  with  fufficient  food,  it  foon 
grows  unfit  even  for  its  own  exiftence  ;  its  flefii  becomes  a 
greater  load  than  its  legs  are  able  to  fupport,  and  continues 
to  :  :ed  lying  down,  or  kneeling,  a  helplefs  inftance  of  in- 
dulged fenfuality.  The  only  time  it  feems  to  have  paffions  of 
a  more  active  nature,  are,  when  it  is  incited  by  venery,  or 
when  the  wind  blows  with  any  vehemence.  Upon  this  oc- 
cafion,  it  is  fo  agitated,  as  to  run  violently  towards  its  fly, 
fcreaming  horribly  at  the  fame  time,  which  feems  to  argue 
that  it  is  naturally  fond  of  a  warm  climate.  It  appears  alfo  to 
fore  fee  the  approach  of  bad  weather,  bringing  draw  to  its  fty 
in  its  mouth,  preparing  a  bed,  and  hiding  itfelf  from  the  im- 
pending ftorm.  Nor  is  it  lefs  agitated  when  it  hears  any  of 
its  kind  in  diftrefs  ;  when  a  hog  is  caught  in  a  gate,  as  is  of- 
ten the  cafe,  or  when  it  fuffers  any  of  the  ufual  domeftic  ope- 

*  En  (Ton. 


HOG   KIND.  105 

rations  of  ringing  or  fpaying,  all  the  reft  are  then  feen  to  ga- 
ther round  it,  to  lend  their  fruitlefs  affiftance,  and  to  fympa- 
thize  wich  its  fufferings.  They  have  often  alfo  been  known  to 
gather  round  a  dog  that  had  teazed  them,  and  kill  him  upon 
the  fpot. 

Mod  of  the  difeafes  of  this  animal  arife  from  intempe- 
rance ;  mealies,  impoflhumes,  and  fcrophulous  fwellings, 
are  reckoned  among  the  number.  It  is  thought  by  fome,  that 
they  wallow  in  the  mire  to  deflroy  a  fort  of  loufe  or  infecl: 
that  is  often  found  to  infeft  them  ;  however,  they  are  gene- 
rally known  to  live,  when  fo  permitted,  to  eighteen  or  twen- 
ty years ;  and  the  females  produce  till  the  age  of  fifteen.  As 
they  produce  from  ten  to  twenty  young  at  a  litter,  and  that 
twice  a  year,  we  may  eafily  compute  how  numerous  they 
would  (hortly  become,  if  not  diminimed  by  human  induftry. 
In  the  wild  ftate  they  are  lefs  prolific  ;  and  the  fow  of  the 
woods  brings  forth  but  once  a  year,  probably  becaufe  exhauf- 
ted  by  rearing  up  her  former  numerous  progeny. 

It  would  be  fuperfluous  to  dwell  longer  upon  the  nature 
and  qualities  of  an  animal  too  well  known  to  need  a  defcrip- 
tion  :  there  are  few,  even  in  cities  who  are  unacquainted 
with  its  ufes,  its  appetites,  and  way  of  living.  The  arts  of 
fattening,  rearing,  guarding,  and  managing  hogs,  fall  more 
properly  under  the  cognizance  of  the  farmer  than  the  natu- 
ralift  •,  they  make  a  branch  of  domeftic  ceconomy,  which, 
properly  treated,  may  be  extended  to  a  great  length  :  but  the 
hiftory  of  nature  ought  always  to  end  where  that  of  art  be- 
gins. It  will  be  fuflkient,  therefore,  to  obferve,  that  the  wild 
boar  was  formerly  a  native  of  our  country,  as  appears  from 
the  laws  of  Hoeldda*,  the  famous  Weliri  legiflator,  who  per- 
mitted his  grand  huntfman  to  chafe  that  animal  from  the  mid- 
dle of  November  to  the  beginning  of  December.  "William  the 
Conqueror  alfo  pimiihed  fuch  as  were  convicted  of  killing 
the  wild  boar  in  his  forefts,  with  the  lofs  of  their  eyes.  At 
prefent,  the  whole  wild  breed  is  extinct  j  but  no  country 

*  Britifh  Zoology,  vol.  I.  p.  44. 

VOL.  IL  0 


icrf  QUADRUPEDS  OF  THE 

makes  greater  life  of  the  tame  kinds,  as  their  flefn,  which  bears 
fait  better  than  that  of  any  other  animal,  makes  a  principal 
part  of  the  provisions  of  the  Britim  navy. 

As  this  animal  is  a  native  of  almoft  every  country,  there 
are  feme  varieties  found  in  the  fpecies.  That  which  we  call 
the  Eart-India  breed,  is  lower,  lefs  furnifhed  with  hair,  is  ufu- 
ally  black,  and  has  the  belly  almoft  touching  the  ground  •,  it 
is  now  common  in  England,  to  fatten  more  eafily  than  the  or- 
dinary kinds,  and  to  make  better  beacon. 

There  is  a  remarkable  variety  of  this  animal  about  Upfal*, 
which  is  fmgle-hoofed,  like  the  horfe ;  but  in  no  other  refpect 
differing  from  the  common  kinds.  The  authority  of  Ariftotle, 
who  firft  made  mention  of  this  kind,  has  been  often  called  into 
queftion ;  fome  have  afferted,  that  fuch  a  quadruped  never 
exifted,  becaufe  it  happened  not  to  fall  within  the  fphere  of 
their  own  confined  obfervation ;  however,  at  prefent,  the  ani- 
mal is  too  well  known,  to  admit  of  any  doubt  concerning  it. 
The  hog,  common  in  Guinea,  -differs  alfo  in  fome  things  from 
our  own  :  though  fhaped  exactly  as  ours,  it  is  of  a  reddifh  co- 
lour, with  long  ears,  which  end  in  a  {harp  point,  and  a  tail 
which  hangs  down  to  the  pattern-,  the  whole  body  is  covered 
with  fhort  red  fhining  hair,  without  any  bridles,  but  pretty  long 
near  the  tail.  The  flem  is  faid  to  be  excellent,  and  they  are  ve- 
ry tame. 

All  thefe,  from  their  near  refemblance  to  the  hog,  maybe  con- 
fidered  as  of  the  fame  fpecies;  the  Eait-India  hog,  we  well 
know,  breeds  with  the  common  kind  ;  whether  the  fame  ob- 
tains between  it,  and  thofe  of  Upfal  and  Guinea,  we  cannot 
directly  affirm  ;  but  where  the  external  fimilitude  is  fo  ftrong, 
we  may  be  induced  to  believe,  that  the  appetites  and  habits 
are  the  fame.  It  is  true,  we  are  told,  that  the  Guinea  breed 
will  not  mix  with  ours,  but  keep  feparate,  and  herd  only  toge- 
ther ;,  however,  this  is  no  proof  of  their  diverfity,  fmce  every 
animal  will  prefer  its  own  likenefs,  in  its  mate  ;  and  they  will 
only  then  mix  with  another  fort,  when  deprived  of  the  fociety 
of  their  own.  Thefe,  therefore,  we  may  confider  as  all  of  the 

*  Amsenit  Accad.  vol.  v.  p.  465. 


HOG  KIND.  107 

hog  kind  ;  but  there  are  other  quadrupeds,  that,  in  general, 
referable  this  fpecies,  which,  neverthelefs,  are  very  diftm&  from 
them.  Travellers,  indeed,  from  their  general  form,  or  from 
their  habits  and  way  of  living,  have  been  content  to  call  thefe 
creatures  hogs  alfo:  but  upon  a  clofer  infpecUon,  their  differ- 
ences are  found  to  be  fuch,  as  entirely  to  feparatc  the  kinds, 
and  make  each  a  diftindl  animal  by  itfelf- 


THE  PECCARY,  OR  TAJ  ACU. 

THAT  animal,  which,  of  all  others,  moft  refembles  a  hog, 
and  yet  is  of  a  formation  very  diftintt,  from  it,  is  called  the 
peccary,  or  tajacu.  It  is  a  native  of  America,  and  found  there, 
in  fuch  numbers,  that  they  are  feen  in  herds  of  feveral  hun- 
dreds together,  grazing  among  the  woods,  and  inofrenfive,  ex- 
cept when  offended. 

The  peccary,  at  firft  view,  refembles  a  fmall  hog  ;  the  form 
of  its  body,  the  fhape  of  its  head,  the  length  of  its  fnout,  and 
the  form  of  its  legs,  are  entirely  alike:  however,  when  we  come 
to  examine  it  nearer,  the  differences  begin  to  appear.  The  bo- 
dy is  not  fo  bulky,  its  legs  not  fo  long;  its  briLles  much  thick- 
er and  ilronger  than  thofe  of  the  hog,  refembiing  rather,  the 
quills  of  a  porcupine,  than  hair  ;  inftead-of  a  tail,  it  has  only 
a  little  fiefhy  protuberance,  which  does  not  even  cover  its  pof- 
teriors ;  but,  that  which  is  ftill  more  extraordinary,  and  in 
which  it  differs  from  all  other  quadrupeds  \vhatfoever,  is,  that 
it  has  got  upon  its  back,  a  lump  refembiing  the  navel  in 
other  animals,  which  is  found  to  feparate  a  liquor  of  a  very 
ftrong  fmell.  The  peccary  is  the  only  creature  that  has  thofe 
kind  of  glands  which  difcharge  the  mufky  fubftance,  on  that 
part  of  its  body.  Some  have  them  under  the  belly,  and  others 
under  the  tail ;  but  this  creature,  by  a  conformation  peculiar 
to  itfelf,  has  them  on  its  back.  This  lump,  or  navel,  is  fituated 
on  that  part  of  the  back,  which  is  over  the  hinder  legs;  it  is,  in. 
general,  fo  covered  with  long  briftles,  that  it  cannot  be  feen,  ex- 
cept they  be  drawn  afide.  A  fmall  fpace  then  appears,  that. is* 


io8  QJJADRUPEDS  OF  THE 

almofl  bare,  and  only  befec  with  a  few  {hort  fine  hairs.  In  the 
middle  it  rifes  like  a  lump ;  and  in  this  there  is  an  orifice,  in- 
to which  one  may  thrufl  a  common  goofe  quill.  This  hole  or 
bag  is  not  above  an  inch  in  depth  :  and  round  it,  under  the 
ikin,  are  fituated  a  number  of  fmall  glands,  which  diftil  a 
\vhitifh  liquor,  which,  in  colour  and  fubftance,  refembles  that 
obtained  from  the  civet  animal.  Perhaps  it  was  this  analogy,, 
that  led  dr.  Tyfon  to  fay,  that  it  fmelt  agreeably  alfo,  like  that 
perfume.  But  this  mr.  Buffon  abfolutely  denies  •,  affirming* 
that  the  fmell  is  at  every  time,  and  in  every  proportion,  flrong 
and  offenfive  ;  and  to  this  I  can  add  my  own  teftimony,  if  that 
able  naturalift  fhould  want  a  voucher. 

But,  to  be  more  particular  in  the  defcription  of  the  other 
parts  of  this  quadruped  ;the  colour  of  the  body  is  grizly,.  and 
befet  with  bridles,  thicker  and  ftronger  than  thofe  of  a  com- 
mon hog  ;  though  not  near  fo  thick  as  thofe  of  a  porcupine, 
they  refemble  in  this  refpecl,  that  they  are  variegated  with 
black  and  white  rings.  The  belly  is  almoft  bare;  and  the  fhort 
bridles  on  the  fides,  gradually  increafe  in  length,  as  they  ap- 
proach the  ridge  of  the  back,  where  fome  are  five  inches  long. 
On  the  head  alfo,  between  the  ears,  there  is  a  large  tuft  of  brrf- 
ties,  that  are  chiefly  black.  The  ears  are  about  two  inches  and 
a  half  long,  and  (land  upright ;  and  the  eyes  refemble  thofe  of 
a  common  hog,  only  they  are  frnaller.  From  the  lower  corner 
of  the  eye  to  the  fnout.,  is  ufually  fix  inches  ;  and  the  fnout  it- 
felf  is  like  that  of  a  hog's,  though  it  is  but  fmall.  One  fide 
of  the  lower  lip  is  generally  fmooth,  by  the  rubbing  of  the  tuflc 
of  the  upper  jaw.  The  feet  and  hoofs  are  perfectly  like  thofe  of 
a  common  hog  ;  but,  as  was  already  obferved,  it  has  no  tail. 
There  are  fome  anatomical  differences  in  its  internal  ftru£lure, 
from  that  of  the  common  hog.  Dr.  Tyfon  was  led  to  fuppofe, 
that  it  had  three  ftomachs-,  whereas,  the  hog  has  but  one:  how- 
ever, in  this  he  was  deceived,  as  mr.  Daubenton  has  plainly 
fhown,  that  the  ftomach  is  only  divided  by  two  clofings,  which 
gives  it  the  appearance,  as  if  divided  into  three;  and  there  is  no 
conformation  that  prevents  the  food  in  any  part  of  it,  from  go- 
ing or  returning  to  any  other. 


H  O  G  K  I  N  D.  109 

The  peccary  may  be  tamed  like  the  hog,  and  has  pretty  near- 
ly the  fame  habits  and  natural  inclinations.  It  feeds  upon  the 
fame  aliments ;  its  flefh,  though  drier  and  leaner  than  that  of 
the  hog,  is  pretty  good  eating  ;  it  is  improved  by  caflration  ; 
and,  when  killed,  not  only  the  parts  of  generation  muft  be  tak- 
en inflantly  away,  but  aifo  the  navel  on  the  back,  with  all  the 
glands  that  contribute  to  its  fupply.  If  this  operation  be  defer, 
red  for  only  half  an  hour,  the  fleih  becomes  utterly  unfit  to  be 
eaten. 

The  peccary  is  extremely  numerous  in  all  the  parts  of 
Southern  America.  They  go  in  herds  of  two  or  three  hundred 
together  5  and  unite,  like  hogs,  in  each  other's  defence.  They 
are  particularly  fierce  when  their  young  are  attempted  to  be 
taken  from  them.  They  furround  the  plunderer,  attack  him 
without  fear,  and  frequently  make  his  life  pay  the  forfeit  of 
his  raihnefs.  When  any  of  the  natives  are  purfued  by  a  herd  in 
this  manner,  they  frequently  climb  a  tree  to  avoid  them ; 
while  the  peccaries  gather  round  the  root,  threaten  with  their 
tufks,  and  their  rough  bridles  {landing  erect,  as  in  the  hog 
kind,  they  afTume  a  very  terrible  appearance.  In  this  manner 
they  remain  at  the  foot  of  the  tree,  for  hours  together ;  while 
the  hunter  is  obliged  to  wait  patiently,  and  not  without  appre- 
henfions,  until  they  think  fit  to  retire. 

The  peccary  is  rather  fond  of  the  mountainous  parts  of  the 
country,  than  the  lowlands  ;  it  feems  to  delight  neither  in  the 
marfhes  nor  the  mud,  like  our  hogs  j  it  keeps  among  the  woods, 
where  it  fubfifts  upon  wild  fruits,  roots,  and  vegetables  •,  it  is 
alfo  an  unceafing  enemy  to  the  lizard,  the  toad,  and  all  the 
ferpent  kinds,  with  which  thefe  uncultivated  forefts  abound. 
As  foon  as  it  perceives  a  ferpent,  or  a  viper,  it  at  once  feizes  it 
with  its  fore  hoofs  and  teeth,  Ikinsit  in  an  inftant,  and  devours 
the  flefh.  This  is  often  feen,  and  may,  therefore,  be  readily 
credited  :  but  as  to  its  applying  to  a  proper  vegetable  immedi- 
ately after,  as  an  antidote  to  the  poifon  of  the  animal  it  had 
devoured,  this  part  of  the  relation  we  may  very  well  fufpect,. 
The  flefh,  neither  of  the  toad  or  viper,  as  every  one  now  knows, 
gre  poifonousj  and,  therefore,  there  is  no  need  of  a  remedy 


no  QJJADRUPEDS  OF  THE 

againfl  their  venom.  Ray  gives  no  credit  to  either  part  of  the 
account;  however,  we  can  have  noreafon  to  difbelievc  that  it 
feeds  upon  toads  and  ferpents  ;  it  is  only  the  making  ufe  of  & 
vegetable  antidote,  that  appears  improbable,  and  which,  per-, 
haps,  had  its  rife  in  the  ignorance  and  credulity  of  the  natives. 

The  peccary,  like  the  hog,  is  very  prolific  ;  the  young  ones, 
follow  the  dam,  and  do  notfeparats  till  they  have  come  to  per- 
fection. If  taken  at  firft,  they  are  very  eafily  tamed,  and  iboa 
lofe  all  their  natural  ferocity  ;  however,  they  never  {how  any1 
remarkable  figns  of  docility,  but  continue  ft  up  id  and  rude, 
without  attachment,  or  even  feeming  to  know  the  hand  that 
feeds  them.  They  only  continue  to  do  no  mifchief ;  and  they 
may  be  permitted  to  run  tame,  without  apprehending  any  dan- 
gerous confequences.  They  feldom  dray  far  from  home  ;  they 
return  of  themfelves  to  the  fly,  and  do  not  quarrel  among 
each  other,  except  when  they  happen  to  be  fed  in  common. 
At  fuch  times,  they  have  an  angry  kind  of  growl,  much  ftron- 
ger  and  harfher  than  that  of  a  hog;  but  they  are  feldom  heard, 
to  fcream  as  the  former,  only  now  and  then,  when  frighted,  or 
irritated,  they  have  an  abrupt  angry  manner  of  blowing  like 
the  boar. 

The  peccary,  though  like  the  hog  in  fo  many  various  refpecls,, 
is,  neverthelefs,  a  very  diftin&  race,  and  will  not  mix,  nor  pro- 
duce an  intermediate  breed.  The  European  hog  has  been  tranf- 
planted  into  America,  and  fullered  to  run  wild  among  the 
woods  ;  it  is  often  feen  to  herd  among  a  drove  of  peccaries, 
but  never  to.  breed  from  them.  They  may,  therefore,  be  con- 
fidered  as  two  diftinct  creatures;  the  hog  is  the  larger,  and. 
the  moreufeful  animal;  the  peccary,  more  feeble  and  local ; 
the  hog  fubfifts  in  moil  parts  of  the  world,  and  in  aimed  eve- 
ry climate  ;  the  peccary  is  a  native  of  the  warmer  regions,  and 
cannot  fubfitl  in  ours,  without  fhelter  and  afliftance.  It  is  more 
than  probable,  however,  that  we  could  readily  propagate  the 
breed  of  this  quadruped,  and  that,  in  two  or  three  generations, 
it  might  be  familiarized  to  our  climate  :  but  as  it  is  inferior  to 
the  hog,  in  every  rcfpe£t,  fo  it  would  be  ncedlefs  to  admit  a 
new  domeftic,  whofe  fervices  are  better  fupplied  in  the  old. 


"Wild  Boar 


Peccarv  orMexicanHoi 


HOG  KIND.  in 

THE  CAPIBARA,  OR  CABIAI. 

THERE    are  fome   quadrupeds  fo  entirely  different  from 
any  that  we  are  acquinted  with,  that  it  is  hard  to  find  a  v 

',-h  to  referable  them.  In  this  cafe,  we 
muft  be  content  to  place  them  near  fuch  as  they  mod  approach 
in  form  and  habits,  fo  that  the  reader  may  at  once  have 
fome  idea  of  I  ure's  fhape  or  difpofition,  although,  per- 

jonfufed  o;;e. 

Upon  that  confufed  idea,  however,   it  will  be  ov 
to  work  :  to  •  ,  to  greater  precifion;  to  :. 

cut  the  differences  of  form,  and  thus  give  the  cleared  notions 
that  words  can  eafily  convey.  The  known  animal  is  a  hind  of 
rude  fltetch  of  the  figure  we  want  to  exhibit;    from  which,  by 
degrees,  we  faihion   out  the  fhape  of  the  creature  we   <.; 
mould  be  known  ;  as  a  ft:.  \  begins  his  work,  till 

the  rude  outline  of  the  figure  is  given  by  fome  other  hand. — 
In  this  manner,  I  have  placed  the  capibara  am  .  hog 

kind,  merely  becaufe  it  is  more  like  a  hog  than  any  other 
animal  commonly  known,  and  yet,  mere  clofely  examined,  it 
will  be  found  to  differ  in  fome  of  the  mod  obvious  particulars. 

The  capibara  refem'bles  a  hog  of  about  two  years  old,  in  the 
fhnpe  of  its  body,  and  the  coarfenefs  and  colour  of  its  hair. 
Like  the  hog,  it  has  athick  fhort  neck,and  a  rounded  bridlyb 
like  the  hog,  it  is  fond  of  the  water  and  marfhy  places,  brings 
forth  many  at  a  time,  and,  like  it,  feeds  upon  animal  and  ve- 
getable food.  But,  when  examined  more  nearly,  the  differen- 
ces are  many  and  obvious.  The  head  is  longer,  the  v 
are  larger,  and  the  fnout,  indead  of  being  rounded,  as  in  the 
hog,  is  fplit,  like  that  of  a  rabbit  or  hare,  and  furnifhed  with 
thick  ftrong  whifkers;  the  mouth  is  not  fo  wide,  the  number 
and  the  form  of  the  teeth  is  different,  for  it  is  without  tufks  : 
like  the  peccary,  it  wants  a  tail;  and,  unlike  to  all  others  o£ 
this  kind,  indead  of  a  cloven  hoof,  it  is  in  a  manner  web-foot- 
ed, and  thus  entirely  fitted  for  fwimming  and  living  in  the 
water.  The  hoofs  before  are  divided  into  four  parts ;  and 


QJJADRUPEDS  OF  THE 

thofe  behind,  into  three  ;  between  the  divifions,  there  is  a  pro- 
longation of  the  ikin,  fo  that  the  foot,  when  fpread  in  fwim- 
ming,  can  beat  a  greater  furface  of  water. 

As  its  feet  are  thus  made  for  the  water,  fo  it  is  feen  to  de- 
light entirely  in  that  element :  and  fome  naturalifts  have  cal- 
led it  the  water-hog,  for  that  reafon.  It  is  a  native  of  South- 
America,  and  is  chiefly  feen  frequenting  the  borders  of  lakes 
and  rivers,  like  the  otter.  It  feizes  the  fifh,  upon  which  it 
preys,  with  its  hoofs  and  teeth,  and  carries  them  to  the  edge 
of  the  lake,  to  devour  them  at  its  eafe.  It  lives  alfo  upon  fruits, 
corn,  and  fugar-canes.  As  its  feet  are  long  and  broad,  it  is  of- 
ten feen  fitting  up,  like  a  dog  that  is  taught  to  beg.  Its  cry 
more  nearly  refembles  the  braying  of  an  afs,  than  the  grunting 
of  a  hog.  It  feldom  goes  out,  except  at  night,  and  that  always 
in  company.  It  never  ventures  far  from  the  fides  of  the  river 
or  the  lake  in  which  it  preys  ;  for  as  it  runs  ill,  becaufe  of  the 
length  of  its  feet,  and  the  fhortnefs  of  its  legs,  fo  its  only  place 
of  fafety  is  the  water,  into  which  it  immediately  plunges  when 
purfued,  and  keeps  fo  long  at  the  bottom,  that  the  hunter  can 
have  no  hopes  of  taking  it  there.  The  capibara,  even  in  a  flare 
of  wildnefs,  is  of  a  gentle  nature,  and,  when  taken  young,  is 
cafily  tamed.  It  comes  and  goes  at  command,  and  even  mows 
an  attachment  to  its  keeper.  Its  fleth  is  faid  to  be  fat  and  ten- 
der, but,  from  the  nature  of  its  food,  it  has  a  fifhy  tafte,  like 
that  of  all  thofe  which  are  bred  in  the  water.  Its  head,  howe- 
ver, is  faid  to  be  excellent ;  and,  in  this,  it  refembles  the  bea- 
ver, whofe  fore  parts  tafte  like  fiefh,  and  the  hinder  like  the  fifli 
it  feeds  on- 


THE  BABYROUESSA,  OR  INDIAN  HOG. 

THE  babyrouefTa  is  flill  more  remote  from  the  hog  kind 
than  the  capibara  ;  and  yet  mod  travellers  who  have  defcribed 
this  animal,  do  not  fcruple  to  call  it  the  hog  of  Borneo,  which 
is  an  ifland  in  the  Eaft-Indies,  where  it  is  principally  to  be 
found.  Probably  the  animal's  figure,  upon  the  whole,  inoft  re- 


HOGKIND.  113 

fcmblcs  that  of  the  hog  kind,  and  may  have  induced  them  to 
rank  it  among  the  number :  however,  when  they  come  to  its 
defcription,  they  reprefent  it  as  having  neither  the  hair,  the 
bridles,  the  head,  the  flature,  nor  the  tail  of  a  hog.  Its  legs,  we 
are  told,  are  longer,  its  fnout  fhorter,  its  body  more  flender, 
and  fo  me  what  rcfembling  that  of  a  flag  ;  its  hair  is  finer,  of  a 
grey  colour,  rather  refembling  wool  than  briftles,  and  its  tail 
alfo  tufted  with  the  fame.  From  thefe  varieties,  therefore,  it  can 
fcarcely  be  called  a  hog  5  and  yet,  in  this  clafs,  we  muft  be  con- 
tent to  rank  it  until  its  form  and  nature  come  to  be  better 
known.  What  \ve  at  prefent  principally  diftinguifh  it  by,  are 
four  enormous  tufks,  that  grow  out  of  each  jaw  ;  the  two  lar- 
geft  from  the  upper,  and  the  two  fmalleft  from  the  under. 
The  jaw-bones  of  this  extraordinary  animal,  are  found  to  be 
very  thick  and  ftrong  ;  from  whence  thefe  monftrous  tufks  are 
feen  to  proceed,  that  diftinguifh  it  from  all  other  quadrupeds 
•whatfoever.  The  two  that  go  from  the  lower  jaw,  are  not  above 
a  foot  long,  but  thofe  of  the  upper  are  above  half  a  yard  :  as 
in  the  boar,  they  bend  circularly,  and  the  two  lower  fland  in 
the  jaw  as  they  are  feen  to  do  in  that  animal ;  but  the  two  up- 
per rife  from  the  upper  jaw,  rather  like  horns  than  teeth ; 
and,  bending  upwards  and  backwards,  fometimes  have  their 
points  directed  to  the  animal's  eyes,  and  are  often  fatal  by 
growing  into  them.  Were  it  not  that  the  babyrouefla  has  two 
fuch  large  teeth  underneath,  we  might  eafily  fuppofe  the  two 
upper  to  be  horns  ^  and,  in  fact,  their  fockets  are  directed  up- 
wards ;  for  which  reafon  doctor  Grew  was  of  that  opinion. 
But,  as  the  teeth  of  both  jaws  are  of  the  fame  confidence,  and 
as  they  both  grow  out  of  fockets  in  the  fame  manner,  the  ana- 
logy between  both  is  too  ftrong  not  to  fuppofe  them  of  the 
fame  nature.  The  upper  teeth,  when  they  leave  the  focket,  im- 
mediately pierce  the  upper  lips  of  the  animal,  and  grow  as  if 
they  immediately  went  from  its  cheek.  The  tufks  in  both  jaws 
are  of  a  very  fine  ivory,  fmoother  and  whiter  than  that  of  the 
elephant,  but  not  fo  hard  or  ferviceable. 

Thefe  enormous  tufks  give  this  animal  a  very  formidable  ap- 
pearance ;  and  yet  it  is  thought  to  be  much  lefs  dangerous  than 
VOL.  II.  P 


ii4  ANIMALS  OF  THE 

the  wild  boar*.  Like  animals  of  the  hog  kind,  they  go  together  in 
a  body,  and  are  often  feen  in  company  with'the  wild  boar,  with 
which,  however,  they  are  never  known  to  engender.  They  have 
a  very  ilrong  fcent,  which  difcovers  them  to  the  hounds  j  and, 
when  purfued,  they  growl  dreadfully,  often  turning  back  up- 
on the  dogs,  and  wounding  them  with  the  tufks  of  the  lower 
jaw,  for  thofe  of  the  upper  are  rather  an  obftruction  than  a  de- 
fence. They  run  much  fwifter  than  the  boar,  and  have  a  more 
cxquifite  fcent,  winding  the  men  and  the  dogs  at  a  great  dif- 
tance.  When  hunted  clofely,  they  generally  plunge  themfelves 
into  the  fea,  where  they  fwim  with  great  fwiftnefs  and  facili- 
ty, diving,  and  rifing  again  at  pleafure;  and,  in  this  manner, 
they  mod  frequently  efcape  their  purfuers.  Although  fierce 
and  terrible,  when  offended,  yet  they  are  peaceable  and  harm- 
lefs  when  unmoleiled.  They  are  eafily  tamed,  and  their  flefh  is 
good  to  be  eaten  ;  but  it  is  faid  to  putrefy  in  a  very  fhort  time. 
They  have  a  way  of  repofmg  themfelves  different  from  mofl 
other  animals  of  the  larger  kind  ;  which  is  by  hitching  one  of 
their  upper  tufks  on  the  branch  of  a  tree,  and  then  fuffering 
their  whole  body  to  fwing  down  at  eafe.  Thus  fufpened  by  a 
tooth,  they  continue  the  whole  night  quite  fecure,  and  out  of 
the  reach  of  fuch  animals  as  hunt  them  for  prey. 

The  babyrouelfa,  though  by  its  teeth  and  tufks  it  feems  fit- 
•ted  for  a  flate  of  hoftility,  and  probably  is  carnivorous,  yet,  ne- 
vcrthelefs,  feems  chiefly  to  live  upon  vegetables  and  the  leaves 
of  trees.  It  feldom  feeks  to  break  into  gardens,  like  the 
boar,  in  order  to  pillage  the  more  fucculent  productions  of  hu- 
man induftry,  but  lives  remote  from  mankind,  content  with 
coarfer  fare  and  fecurity.  It  has  been  faid  that  it  was  only  to 
be  found  in  the  illand  of  Borneo,  but  this  is  a  miftake,  as  it 
is  well  known  in  many  other  parts,  both  of  Afia  and  Africa, 
as  at  the  Celebes,  at  Eilrila,  Senegal,  and  MadagafcarJ. 

Such  are  the  animals  of  the  hog  kind,  which  are  not  diftincl:- 
ly  known  j  and  even  all  thefe,  as  we  fee,  have  been  but  imper- 
fectly examined,  or  defcribed.  There  are  fome  others,  of  which 

*  Buflbn,  vol.  xxv.  p.  1 79. 
I  AndeiTou'a  Natural  Hiftory  of  Greenland. 


CAT"  KIND.  115 

we  have  ftill  more  imperfect  notices ;  fuch  as  the  warree,  a 
hog  of  the  ifthmus  of  Darien,  defcribed  by  Wafer,  with  large 
tufks  and  fmall.  ears,  and  briftles  like  a  coarfe  fur  all  over  the 
body.  This,  hov/ever,  may  be  the  European  hog,  which  Kas 
run  wild  in  that  part  of  the  new  world,  as  no  other  traveller 
has  taken  notice  of  the  fame.  The  Canary  boar  feems  quite 
different  from  other  animals  of  this  kind,  by  the  largenefs  of 
their  tufks  5  and,  as  is  judged  from  the  fkeleton,  by  the  aper- 
ture of  its  noitrils,  and  the  number  of  its  grinders.  I  cannot 
.conclude  this  account  of  thofe  animals,  that  are  thus  furnifhed 
with  enormous  tulks,  without  obferving  that  there  is  a  ftrong 
confent  between  thefe  and  the  parts  of  generation.  When 
caftrated,  it  is  well  known,  that  the  tuiks  grow  much  fmaller, 
and  are  fcarce  feen  to  appear  without  the  lips;  but,  what  is  ftill 
more  remarkable,  is,  that  in  the  boar,  if  the  tufks  by  any  acci- 
dent or  defign  be  broke  away,  the  animal  abates  of  its  fierce- 
nefs  and  venery,  and  it  produces  nearly  the  fame  effecl:  upon 
its  conftitution  as  if  caftration  had  actually  taken  place*. 


CHAP.        VII. 

Animals  of  the  Cat  Kind. 

WE  have  hitherto  been  defcribing  a  clafs  of  peaceful  and 
harmlefs  animals,  that  ferve  as  the  inftruments  of 
man's  happinefs,  or  at  leafl  that  do  not  openly  oppofe  him.  We 
come  now  to  a  bloody  and  unrelenting  tribe,  that  difdain  to 
own  his  power,  and  carry  on  unceafmg  hoftilities  againfl  him. 
All  the  clafs  of  the  cat  kind  are  chiefly  diftinguifhed  by  their 
flrarp  and  formidable  claws,  which  they  can  hide  and  extend 
at  pleafure.  They  lead  a  folitary,  ravenous  life,  neither  unit- 
ing for  their  mutual  defence,  like  vegetable  feeders,  nor  for 
•their  mutual  fupport,  like  thofe  of  the  dog  kind.  The  whole 
uf  this  cruel  and  ferocious  tribe  feek  their  food  alone ;  and,  ex- 

*  Lille's  Iiufl??.ndry,  vol.  ii.  p.  329. 


n<5  ANIMALS  OF  THE 

cept  at  certain  feafons,  are  even  enemies  to  each  other.  The 
dog,  the  wolf,  and  the  bear,  are  fometimes  known  to  live  upon 
vegetable  or  farinaceous  food  ;  but  all  of  the  cat  kind,  fuch  as 
the  lion,  the  tiger,  the  leopard,  and  the  ounce,  devour  no- 
thing but  flefh,  and  flarve  upon  any  other  provifion. 

They  are,  in  general,  fierce,  rapacious,  fubtle  and  cruel,  un- 
fit for  fociety  among  each  other,  and  incapable  of  adding  to  hu- 
man happinefs.  However,  it  is  probable,  that  even  the  fierceft 
could  be  rendered  domeftic,  if  man  thought  the  conqueft  worth 
the  trouble.  Lions  have  been  yoked  to  the  chariots  of  conque- 
rors, and  tigers  have  been  taught  to  tend  thofe  herds,  which 
they  are  known  at  prefent  todeftroy;  butthefe  fervices  are  not 
fufficient  to  recompence  for  the  trouble  of  their  keeping ;  fo 
that  ceafmg  to  be  ufeful,  they  continue  to  be  noxious,  and  be- 
come rebellious  fubjefts,  becaufe  not  taken  under  equal  pro- 
tection with  the  reft  of  the  brute  creation. 

Other  tribes  of  animals  are  claffed  with  diiEculty  ;  having  of- 
ten but  few  points  of  refemblance  ;  and,  though  alike  in  form, 
have  different  difpofitions,  and  different  appetites.  But  all  thofe 
of  the  cat  kind,  although  differing  in  fize,  or  in  colour,  are  yet 
nearly  allied  to  each  other  ;  being  equally  fierce,  rapacious,  and 
artful ;  and  he  that  has  feeii  one  has  feen  all.  In  other  crea- 
tures, there  are  many  changes  wrought  by  human  affiduity;  the 
dog,  the  hog,  or  the  fhecp,  are  altered  in  their  natures  and 
forms  juft  as  the  neceflities  or  the  caprice  of  mankind  have 
found  fitting  ;  but  all  of  this  kind  are  inflexible  in  their  forms, 
and  wear  the  print  of  their  natural  wildnefs  flrong  upon  them. 
The  dogs  or  cows  vary  in  different  countries,  but  lions  or  ti- 
gers are  ftill  found  the  fame  ;  the  very  colour  is  nearly  alike  in 
all ;  and  the  flighted  alterations  are  fufficient  to  make  a  differ- 
ence in  the  kinds,  and  to  give  the  animal  a  different  denomi- 
nation. 

The  cat  kind  arc  not  lefs  remarkable  fcr  the  fharpnefs  and 
frrength  of  their  claws,  which  are  thruft  forth  from  their 
ihcath  when  they  feize  their  prey,  than  for  the  fhortnefs  of 
their  fnout,  the  roundnefs  of  the'r  head,  and  die  large  whif- 


CAT  KIND.  117 

kcrs  which  grow  on  the  upper  lip.  Their  teeth  a!  fo,  whicb. 
amount  to  the  number  of  thirty,  are  very  formidable ;  but  are 
rather  calculated  for  tearing  their  prey  than  for  chewing  it ;  for 
this  reafon  they  feed  but  flowly  ;  and  while  they  eat,  general- 
ly continue  growling,  to  deter  others  from  taking  a  (Lare.  In 
the  dog  kind,  the  chief  rfower  lies  in  the  under  jaw,  which  is 
long,  and  furnifhed  with  mufcles  of  amazing  ftrength  ;  but  in 
thefe  the  greateil  force  lies  in  the  claws,  which  are  extended 
with  great  eafe,  and  their  gripe  is  fo  tenacious  that  nothing  can 
open  it.  The  hinder  parts,  in  all  thefe  animals,  are  much  wea- 
ker than  thofe  before ;  and  they  feem  lefs  made  for  ftrength 
than  agility.  Nor  are  they  endued  with  the  fwiftnefs  of  moft 
other  animals  ;  but  generally  owe  their  fubfiftence  rather  to 
catching  their  prey  by  furprize  than  by  hunting  it  fairly  down, 
They  all  feize  it  with  a  bound,  at  the  fame  time  expre: 
their  fierce  pleafure  with  a  roar  ;  and  their  firil  grafp  generally 
difables  the  captive  from  all  further  refiftance.  With  all  thefe 
qualifications  for  {laughter,  they  neverthelefs  feem  timid  and 
cowardly,  and  feldom  make  an  attack,  like  thofe  of  the  dog 
kind,  at  a  difadvantage :  on  the  contrary,  they  fly  when  the 
force  againft  them  is  fuperior,  or  even  equal  to  their  own  ;  and 
the  lion  himfelf  will  not  venture  to  make  a  iccond  attempt, 
where  he  has  been  once  repulfed  with  fuccefs.  For  this  reafon, 
in  Countries  that  are  tolerably  inhabited.,  the  iion  is  fo  cowardly 
that  he  is  often  feared  away  by  the  cries  of  women  and  children. 

The  cat,  which  is  the  fmallefl  animal  of  this  kind,  is  the  only 
one  that  has  been  taken  under  human  protection,  and  may  be 
confidered  as  a  faithlefs  friend,  brought  to  oppofe  a  Itill  more- 
infidious  enemy*.  It  is,  in  fact,  the  only  animal  of  this  tribe 
whofe  fervices  can  more  than  recompence  tne  trouble  of 
education,  and  whcfe  itrength  is  not  fuificient  to  make  its  an-. 
ger  formidable.  The  lion  or  the  tiger  may  eafily  be  tamed, 
rendered  fubfervient  to  human  command ;  but  even  in  their 
humbled,  and  moft  familiar  moments,  they  are  ftiil  dangerous ; 
iince  their  firengtl.  ,  that  the  fma!left  fit  of  an^er  or  ca- 

*  This  dcfcription  is  nearly  translated  from  ^ir.  Euubn;  whati: 
me,  b  marked  with  inverted  commas. 


ii8  ANIMALS    OF   THE 

price,  may  have  dreadful  confequences.  But  the  cat,  though  ea- 
iily  offended  and  often  capricious  in  her  refentments,  is  not  en- 
cued  with  powers  fufficient  to  do  any  great  mifchief.  Of  all 
;-.nimals,  when  young,  there  is  none  more  prettily  playful  than 
the  kitten  ;  but  it  feems  to  lofe  this  difpofition  as  it  grows  old, 
and  the  innate  treachery  of  its  kind  is  then  f  en  to  prevail.  From 
being  naturally  ravenous,  education  teaches  it  to  difguife  its 
appetites,  and  to  watch  the  favourable  moment  of  plunder ; 
fupple,  infmuating,  and  artful,  it  has  learned  the  arts  of  con- 
cealing its  intentions  till  it  can  put  them  into  execution  ^  when 
the  opportunity  offers,  it  at  once  feizes  upon  whatever  it  finds, 
fiies  off  with  it,  and  continues  at  a  diflance  till  it  fuppofes  its 
offence  forgotten.  The  cat  has  only  the  appearance  of  attach- 
ment j  and  itmayeafilybeperceived,  by  itslimidapproaches,and 
fide-long  looks,  that  it  either  dreads  its  matter,  or  diftrufts  his 
kindnefs :  different  from  the  dog,  whofe  careffes  are  fincere, 
the  cat  is  affiduous  rather  for  its  own  pleafure,  than  to  pleafe  ; 
and  often  gains  confidence,  only  to  abufe  it.  The  form  of  its 
body  and  its  temperament,  correfpond  with  its  difpofition  j  ac- 
tive, cleanly,  delicate,  and  voluptuous,  it  loves  its  eafe,  and 
feeks  the  fofteft  cuihions  to  lie  on.  "  Many  of  its  habits,  how- 
ever, are  rather  the  confequences  of  its  formation,  than  the  re- 
fult  of  any  pcrverfenefs  in  its  difpofition  ;  it  is  timid  and  mif- 
truftful,  becaufe  its  body  is  weak,  and  its  ikin  tender ;  a  blow 
hurts  it  infinitely  more  than  it  does  a  dog,  whofe  hide  is  thick 
and  body  mufcular  •,  the  long  fur  in  which  the  cat  is  clothed, 
entirely  difguifes  its  fhape,  which,  if  feen  naked,  is  long,  fee- 
ble, and  fiender  j  it  is  not  to  be  wondered,  therefore,  that  it 
appears  much  more  fearful  of  chaftifement  than  the  dog,  and 
often  fxies,  even  when  no  correction  is  intended.  Being  alfo 
the  native  of  the  warmer  climates,  as  will  be  fhown  hereafter, 
it  choofes  the  fofteft  bed  to  lie  on,  which  is  always  the  war- 
med." 

The  cat  goes  with  young  fifty-fix  days,  and  feldom  brings 
forth  above  five  or  fix  at  a  time.  The  female  ufually  hides  the 
place  of  her  retreat  from  the  male,  who  is  often  found  to  de- 
„  i  her  kittens.  She  feeds  them  for  fome  weeks  with  her 


CAT  KIND.  in; 

milk,  and  whatever  fmall  animals  flie  can  take  by  furprize,  ac- 
cuftoming  them  betimes  to  repine.  Before  they  are  a  year  old, 
they  are  fit  to  engender  j  the  female  feeks  the  male  with  cries  ; 
nor  is  their  copulation  performed  without  great  pain,  from  the 
narrownefs  cf  the  paflage  in  the  female.  They  live  to  about 
the  age  of  ten  years ;  and,  during  that  period,  they  are 
tremely  vivacious,  fuffering  to  be  worried  a  long  time  before 
they  die. 

The  young  kittens  are  very  playful  arid  amufing  j  but  their 
fport  foon  turns  into  malice,  and  they,  from  the  beginning, 
(how  a  difpofition  to  cruelty ;  they  often  look  wiihfuHy  toward* 
the  cage,  fit  centineis  at  the.  mouth  of  a  moufe-hole,  and,  in  a. 
ihort  time,  become  more  expert  hunters,  than  if  they  had  re- 
ceived the  inftrucKons  of  art.  Indeed,  their  difpofition  is  fo 
incapable  of  conftraint,  that  all  inftrucUon  would  be  but  thrown 
away.  It  is  true,  that  we  are  told  of  the  Greek  monks  of  the 
iile  of  Cyprus,  teaching  cats  to  hunt  the  ferpents  with  which 
the  iiland  is  infefted  ;  but  this  may  be  natural  to  the  animal  it- 
felf,  and  they  might  have  fallen  upon  fuch  a  purfuit  without 
any  inftruction.  Whatever  animal  is  much  weaker  than  them- 
felves,  is  to  them  an  indifcriminate  object  of  deftruclion.  E 
young  rabbits,  hares,  rats  and  mice,  bats,  moles,  toads  and 
frogs,  are  all  equally  purfued  ;  though  not  perhaps  equally  ac- 
ceptable. The  moufe  feems  to  be  their  favourite  game  ;  and, 
although  the  cat  has  the  fenfe  of  fmelling  in  but  a  mean  dc 
it  neverthelefs,  knows  thofe  holes  in  which  its  prey  relides.  I 
have  feen  one  of  them  patiently  watch  a  whole  day  until  the 
moufe  appeared,  and  continue  quite  motionlefs  until  it  c 
within  reach,  and  then  feized  it  with  a  jump.  Of  all  the  mark; 
by  which  the  cat  discovers  its  natural  malignity,  that  of  playing 
and  fporting  with  its  little  captive  before  killing  it  outrig! 
the  mod  flagrant. 

The  fixed  inclination  which  they  difcover  for  this  peculiar 
manner  of  purfuit,  arifes  from  the  conformation  of  their  cyej> 
The  pupil  in  man,  and   in  moil  other  animals,  is  capabl. 
cf  a  fmall  degree  of  contraction  and  dilatation,  it  enlarges  a  lit- 
tle in  the  dark,  and  contracts  when  ths  light  pours  in  upon  it, 


120  ANIMALS  OF  THE 

in  too  great  quantities.  In  the  eyes  of  cats,  however,  this  con- 
traction and  dilatation  of  the  pupil,  is  fo  confiderable,  that  the 
pupil,  which  by  day-light  appears  nrarow  and  fmall,  like  the 
black  of  one's  nail,  by  night  expands  over  the  whole  furface  of 
the  eye-ball,  and,  as  every  one  mult  have  feen,  their  eyes  feem 
on  fire.  By  this  peculiar  conformations,  their  eyes  fee  better  in 
darknefs  than  light ;  and  the  animal  is  thus  better  adapted  for 
fpying  out  and  furprizing  its  prey. 

Although  the  cat  is  an  inhabitant  of  our  houfes,  yet  it  cannot 
properly  be  called  a  dependant  •,  although  perfectly  tame,  yet 
it  acknowledges  no  obedience  ;  on  the  contrary,  it  does  only 
juft  what  it  thinks  fit,  and  no  art  can  controul  any  of  its  incli- 
nations. In  general,  it  is  but  half  tamed  ;  and  has  its  attach- 
ments rather  to  the  place  in  which  it  refides,  than  to  the  inhabi- 
tant. If  the  inhabitant  quits  the  houfe,  the  cat  (till  remains  ; 
and,  if  carried  elfewhere,  feems  for  a  while  bewildered  with  its 
new  fituation.  It  muft  take  time  to  become  acquainted  with 
the  holes  and  retreats  in  which  its  prey  refides,  with  all  the  lit- 
tle labyrinths  through  which  they  often  make  good  an  efcape. 

The  cat  is  particularly  fearful  of  water,  of  cold,  and  of  ill 
fmells.  It  loves  to  keep  in  the  fun,  to  get  near  the  fire,  and  to 
rub  itfelf  againft  thofe  who  carry  perfumes.  It  is  exceflively 
fond  of  fome  plants,  fuch  as  valerian,  marum,  and  cat-mint : 
againft  thefe  it  rubs,  fmells  them  at  a  diflance,  and,  at  laft,  if 
they  be  planted  in  a  garden,  wears  them  out. 

This  animal  eats  ilowly,  and  with  difficulty,  as  its  teeth  are 
rather  made  for  tearing,  than  chewing  its  aliments.  For  this 
reafon,  it  loves  the  mod  tender-food,  particularly  fifh,  which 
it  eats  as  well  boiled  as  raw.  Its  fleeping  is  very  light ;  and  it 
often  feems  to  flcep,  the  better  to  deceive  its  prey.  When  the 
cat  walks,  it  treads  very  foftly,  and  without  the  lead  noife  ;  and 
as  to  the  neceflities  of  nature,  it  is  cleanly  to  the  laft  degree. 
Its  fur  alfo  is  ufually  fleek  and  glofly  ;  and,  for  this  reafon,  the 
hair  is  cafily  electrified,  fending  forth  mining  fparks,  if  rubbed 
in  the  dark. 


CAT  KIND,  121 

'**  The  wild  cat  breeds  with  the  tame* ;  and  therefore,  the 
latter  may  be  ccnfidered  only  as  a  variety  of  the  former  :  how- 
ever, they  differ  in  fome  particulars  ;  the  cat,  in  its  favage 
ftate,  is  fomewhat  larger  than  the  houfe-cat ;  and  its  fur  being 
longer,  gives  it  a  greater  appearance  than  it  really  has  ;  its 
head  is  bigger,  and  face  flatter  ;  the  teeth  and  claws  much 
more  formidable  ;  its  mufcles  very  ftrong,  the  tail  is  of  a  mo- 
derate length,  but  very  thick  and  flat,  marked  with  alternate 
bars  of  black  and  white,  the  end  always  black  ;  the  hips  and 
hind  part  of  the  lower  joints  of  the  kg  are  always  black  j  the  fur 
:ry  foft  and  fine  ;  the  general  colour  of  thefe  animals,  in 
England,  is  a  yellowim  white  mixed  with  a  deep  grey.  Thefe 
colours,  though  they  appear  at  firlt  fight  confufedly  blended 
together,  yet,  on  a  clofe  infpeclion.,  will  be  found  to  be  dif- 
pofed  like  the  ftreaks  on  the  fkin  of  the  tiger,  pointing  from 
the  back  downwards,  riling  from  the  black  lift,  that  runs  from 
the  head,  along  the  middle  of  the  back,  to  the  tail.  This  ani- 
mal is  found  in  our  larger  woods  ;  and  is  the  moft  deftruc- 
tive  of  the  carnivorous  kinds  in  this  kingdom.  It  inhabits 
the  moft  mountainous  and  woody  parts  of  thefe  iflands,  living 
moftly  in  trees,  and  feeding  only  by  night.  It  often  happens, 
that  the  females  of  the  tame  fcind  go  into  the  woods  to  feek 
mates  among  the  wild  ones.  It  mould  feem,  that  thefe,  how- 
ever, are  not  original  inhabitants  of  this  kingdom,  but  were 
introduced  firft  in  a  domeftic  flate,  and  afterwards  became 
\vild  in  the  woods,  by  ill  ufage  or  neglect.  Certain  it  is,  the 
cat  was  an  animal  much  higher  in  efteem  among  our  ancef- 
tors  than  it  is  at  prefent.  By  the  laws  of  Howel,  the  price  of 
a  kitten,  before  it  could  fee,  was  to  be  a  penny  ;  till  it  caught 
a  moufe,  two-pence  ;  and,  when  it  commenced  moufer,  four- 
pence  ;  it  was  required,  befides,  that  it  mould  be  perfed  in  its 
fenfes  of  hearing  and  feeing,  be  a  good  moufer,  hare  the  claws 
whole,  and  be  a  good  nurfe.  If  it  failed  in  any  of  thefe  qua- 
lities, the  feller  was  to  forfeit  to  the  buyer  the  third  part  of 
its  value.  If  any  one  ftole  or  killed  the  cat  that  guarded  the 
prince's  granary,  he  was  to  forfeit  a  milch  ewe,  its  fleece  and 

*  Eritifli  Zoology. 

VOL.  IL  Q 


J22  ANIMALS  OF  THE 

lamb,  or  as  much  wheat  as,  when  poured  on  the  cat,  fufpended 
by  the  tail  (the  head  touching  the  floor)  would  form  a  heap 
high  enough  to  cover  the  tip  of  the  former.  From  hence  we 
difcover,  befides  a  pi£ture  of  the  fimplicity  of  the  times,  a 
ftrong  argument  that  cats  were  not  naturally  bred  in  our  fo- 
refts.  An  animal  that  could  be  fo  eafily  taken,  could  never 
have  been  rated  fo  highly  5  and  the  precautions  laid  down  to 
improve  the  breed,  would  have  been  fuperftuous,  in  a  crea- 
ture that  multiplies  to  fuch  an  amazing  degree. 

"  In  our  climate,  we  know  but  of  one  variety  of  the  wild 
cat ;  and,  from  the  accounts  of  travellers,  we  learn  that  there 
are  but  very  few  differences  in  this  quadruped  in  all  parts 
of  the  world.  The  greatefl  difference,  indeed,  between  the 
wild  and  the  tame  eat,  is  rather  to  be  found  internally  than 
in  their  outward  form.  Of  all  other  quadrupeds,  the  wild  cat 
is,  perhaps,  that  whofe  inteftines  are  proportionably  the  fmal- 
lefl  and  the  fhorteft.  The  inteftines  of  the  fheep,  for  inftance, 
unravelled  out,  and  meafured  according  to  their  length,  will 
be  found  to  be  above  thirty  times  the  length  of  its  body  ; 
whereas,  the  wild  cat's  inteftines,  being  meafured  out,  will  not 
be  found  above  three  times  the  length  of  its  body.  This  is  a 
furprizing  difference  ;  but  we  may  account  for  it,  from  the 
nature  of  the  food  in  the  two  animals  ;  the  one  living  upon 
vegetables,  which  requires  a  longer,  and  a  more  tedious  prepa- 
ration, before  they  can  become  a  part  of  its  body  ;  the  other, 
living  upon  flefh,  which  requires  very  little  alteration,  in  order 
to  be  affimilated  into  the  fubftance  of  the  creature  that  feeds 
upon  it.  The  one,  therefore,  wanted  a  long  canal  for  the  pro- 
perly  digefting  and  (training  its  food  ;  the  other,  but  a  fhort 
one,  as  the  food  is  already  prepared  to  pafs  the  ufual  fecre- 
tions  :  however,  a  difficulty  ftill  remains  behind  ;  the  intef- 
tines of  the  wild  cat  are,  by  one  third,  fhorter  than  thofe  of 
the  tame.  How  can  we  account  for  this  ?  if  we  fay  that  the 
domeftic  cat,  living  upon  more  nourifhing  and  more  plentiful 
provision,  h^s  its  inteftines  enlarged  to  the  quantity  with  which 
it  is  fupplied,  we  {hall  find  this  obfervation  contradicted  in 
the  wild  boar  and  the  wolf,  whofe  inteftines  are  as  long  as 


CAT  KIND.  j2.3 

thofe  of  the  hog  or  the  dog,  and  yet  they  lead  a  favage  life, 
and,  like  the  wild  cat,  are  fed  by  precarious  fubfiftence.  The 
fhortnefs,  therefore,  of  the  wild  cat's  inteftines,  is  ftill  unac- 
counted for;  aiid  moft  naturalifts  confider  the  difficulty  as 
inextricable.  We  muft  leave  it,  therefore,  as  one  of  thofe  dif- 
ficulties which  future  obfervation  or  accident  are  moft  likely 
to  difcover." 

This  animal  is  one  of  thofe  few  which  are  common  to  the 
new  continent,  as  well  as  the  old.  When  Chriilopher  Colum- 
bus firft  difcovered  that  country,  a  hunter  brought  him  one, 
which  he  had  difcovered  in  the  woods,  which  was  of  the 
ordinary  fize,  the  tail  very  long  and  thick.  They  were  com- 
mon  alfo  in  Peru,  altho'  they  were  not  rendered  domeflic.  They 
are  well  known  alfo  in  feveral  parts  of  Africa,  and  many 
parts  of  Afia.  In  fome  of  thefe  countries,  they  are  of  a  pecu- 
liar colour,  and  inclining  to  blue.  In  Perfia,  Pietro  della  Valle 
informs  us,  that  there  is  a  kind  of  cat,  particularly  in  the  pro- 
vince of  Chorazan,  of  the  figure  and  form  of  the  ordinary 
one,  but  infinitely  more  beautiful  in  the  luftre  and  colour  of 
its  fkin.  It  is  of  a  grey  blue,  without  mixture,  and  as  foft 
and  {hining  as  filk.  The  tail  is  very  long,  and  covered  with 
hair  fix  inches  long,  which  the  animal  throws  upon  its  back,- 
like  the  fquirrel.  Thefe  cats  are  well  known  in  France  ;  and 
have  been  brought  over  into  England,  under  the  name  of 
the  blue  cat,  which,  however,  is  not  their  colour. 

Another  variety  of  this  animal  is  called  by  us  the  lien  cat  s 
or,  as  others  more  properly  term  it,  the  cat  of  Angora.  Thefe 
are  larger  than  the  common  cat,  and  even  than  the  wild.  Their 
hair  is  much  longer,  and  hangs  about  their  head  and  neck, 
giving  this  creature  the  appearance  of  a  lion.  Some  of  thefe 
are  white,  and  others  of  a  dun  colour.  Thefe  come  from 
Syria  and  Perfia,  two  countries  which  are  noted  for  giving 
a  long  foft  hair  to  the  animals  which  are  bred  in  them.  The 
fheep,  the  goats,  the  dogs,  and  die  rabbits  of  Syria,  are  all 
remarkable  for  the  fine  glofly  length  and  foftnefs  of  their 
fcair  ;  but  particularly  the  cat,  whofe  nature  feems  to  be  .fo . 


i24  ANIMALS   OF  THE 

Inflexible,  conforms  to  the  nature  of  the  climate  and  foil, 
lofes  its  favage  colour,  which  it  preferves  almoft  in  every 
other  part  of  the  world,  and  aiTumes  the  nioft  beautiful  appear- 
ance. There  are  fome  other  varieties  in  this  animal,  but  ra- 
ther in  colour  than  in  form  ;  and,  in  general,  it  may  be  re- 
marked, that  the  cat,  when  carried  into  o^her  countries,  alters 
but  very  little,  ftill  preferving  its  natural  manners,  habits 
and  conformation, 


THE        LION. 

THE  influence  of  climate  upon  mankind  is  very  fmall*;  he 
is  found  to  fubfift  in  all  parts  of  the  earth,  as  well  under  the  fro- 
zen poles,  as  beneath  the  torrid  zone  :  but,  in  animals,  the  cli- 
mate maybe  confideredas  congenial,  and akind  of  feeond  nature. 
They  almoft  all  have  their  particular  latitudes,  beyond  which 
they  are  unable  to  fubfift  -,  either  perifning  with  a  moderate  cold, 
or  dying  for  want  of  a  frozen  air,  even  in  a  temperate  climate. 
The  rein-deer  is  never  feen  to  depart  from  the  icy  fields  of  the 
north ;  and,  on  the  contrary,  the  lion  degenerates,  when  takers 
from  beneath  the  line.  The  whole  earth  is  the  native  country  ' 
of  man  ;  but  all  inferior  animals  have  each  their  own  peculiar 
diftricls. 

Mod  terreftrial  animals  are  found  larger,  fiercer,  and  flron- 
ger,  in  the  warm  than  in  the  cold  or  temperate  climates.  They 
are  alfo  more  courageous  and  enterprizing,  all  their  difpofitions 
feeming  to  partake  of  the  ardour  of  their  native  foil.  The  lion, 
produced  under  the  burning  fun  of  Africa,  is,  of  all  others,  the 
mqft  terrible,  the  moft  undaunted.  The  wolf  or  the  dog,  in- 
{lead  of  attempting  to  rival  him,  fcarce  deferve  to  attend  his 
motions,  or  become  his  providers.  Such,  however,  of  thefe, 
as  are  bred  in  a  more  temperate  climate,  or  towards  the  tops 
of  cold  and  lofty  mountains,  are  far  more  gentle,  or,  to  fpeak 
more  properly,  far  lefs  dangerous  than  thofe  bred  in  the  torrid 
vallies  beneath.  The  lions  of  Mount  Atlas,  the  tops  of  which 

*  This  defcription  is  principally  taken  from  mr.  BufFon:   Such^parts  as  a-re 
added  from  others,  I  have  marked  with  commas. 


Babiroixfifia  or  Indian 


CAT   KIND.  12$ 

are  covered  in  eternal  fnows,  have  neither  the  ftrength  nor  the 
ferocity  of  the  lions  of  Bildulgerid  or  Zaar?.,  where  the  plains 
are  covered  with  burning  fands.  It  is  particularly  in  thefe  fright- 
ful dcferts,  that  thofe  enormous  and  terrible  beafts  are  found, 
that  feem  to  be  the  fcourge  and  the  terror  of  the  neighbouring 
kingdoms.  Happily,  indeed,  the  fpecies  is  not  very  numerous  ; 
and  it  feems  to  be  diminiflting  daily ;  for  thofe  who  have  tra- 
velled through  thefe  countries,  sfTure  us,  that  there  are  by  no 
means  fo  many  there  at  prefent,  as  were  known  formerly ;  and 
mr.  Shaw  obferves,  that  the  Romans  carried  fifty  times  as 
many  lions  from  Lybia,  in  one  year,  to  combat  in  their  amphi- 
theatres, as  are  to  be  found  in  the  whole  country  at  this  time, 
fame  remark  is  made  with  regard  to  Turkey,  toPerlia,  and 
the  Indies ;  where  the  lions  are  found  to  dimmiih  in  their 
numbers  every  day.  Nor  is  it  difficult  to  affign  the  caufe  of  this 
diminution  :  it  is  obvious  that  it  cannot  be  owing  to  the  in- 
creafe  of  the  force  of  other  quadrupeds,  fmce  they  are  all  inferior 
to  the  lion,  and,  confequently,  inftead  of  leflening  the  number, 
only  tend  to  increafe  the  fupplies  on  which  they  fubfift ;  it 
mufl.  therefore,  be  occalioned  by  the  increafe  of  mankind, 
\vho  is  the  only  animal,  in  nature,  capable  of  making  head 
againft  thefe  tyrants  of  the  foreft,  and  preventing  their  increafe. 
The  arms  even  of  a  Hottentot  or  a  NegEO  make  them  more 
than  a  match  for  this  powerful  creature  ;  and  they  feldom 
make  the  attack,  without  coming  off  victorious.  Their  ufuai 
manner  is  to  find  out  his  retreat,  and,  with  fpears  headed  with 
iron,  to  provoke  him  to  the  combat :  four  men  are  confider- 
ed  as  fufncient  for  this  encounter  j  and  he,  againft  whom  the 
lion  flies,  receives  him  upon  his  fpear%,  while  the  others  attack 
him  behind;  the  lion  finding  him felf  wounded  in  the  rear,  turns 
that  way,  and  thus  gives  the  man  he  firft  attacked,  an  oppor- 
tunity to  recover.  In  this  manner  they  attack  him  on  all  fides  , 
until,  at  laft,  they  entirely  difable,  and  then  difpatch  him.  This 
fuperiority  in  the  numbers,  and  the  arts  of  man,  that  are  fufE- 
cient  to  conquer  the  lion,  ferve  alfo  to  enervate  and  difcourage 
him  ;  for  he  is  brave  only  in  proportion  to  the  fuccefs  of  his 
former  encounters.  In  the  vaft  defer cs  of  Zaara,  in  the  burning 


126  ANIMALS  OF  THE 

fands  that  lie  between  Mauritania,  and  Negroland,  in  the  un- 
inhabited countries  that  lie  to  the  north  of  Cafraria,  and,  in 
general,  in  all  the  deftrts  of  Africa,  where  man  has  not  fixed 
his  habitation,  the  lions  are  found  in  great  numbers,  and  pre- 
ferve  their  natural  courage  and  force.  Accuftcmed  to  meafure 
their  ftrength  with  every  animal  they  meet,  the  habit  of  con- 
quering renders  them  intrepid  and  terrible.  Having  never  ex- 
perienced the  dangerous  arts  and  combinations  of  man,  they 
have  no  apprehenfions  from  his  power.  They  boldly  face  him, 
and  feem  to  brave  the  force  of  his  arms.  Wounds  rather  ferve 
to  provoke  their  rage  than  reprefs  their  ardour.  They  are  not 
daunted  even  with  the  oppofition  of  numbers  ;  a  fingle  lion  of 
the  defert  often  attacks  an  entire  caravan  ;  and,  after  an  obfti- 
nate  combat,  when  he  finds  himfclf  overpowered,  inftead  of  fly- 
ing, he  continues  to  combat,  retreating,  and  flill  facing  the 
enemy  till  he  dies.  On  the  contrary,  the  lions  which  inhabit  the 
peopled  countries  of  Morocco  or  India,  having  become  acquain- 
ted with  human  power,  and  experienced  man's  fuperiority, 
have  loft  all  their  courage,  fo  as  to  be  feared  away  with  a 
fhout ;  and  feldom  attack  any  but  the  unrefifting  flocks  or 
herds,  which  even  women  and  children  arc  fufficient  to  protect. 

This  alteration  in  the  lion's  difpofition  fufficiently  fhows 
that  he  might  eafily  be  tamed,  and  admit  of  a  certain  degree 
of  education.  "  In  fa£i,  nothing  is  more  common  than  for  the 
keepers  of  wild  beads  to  play  with  this  animal,  to  pull  out  his 
tongue,  and  even  to  chaftife  him  without  a  caufe.  He  feems  to 
bear  it  all  with  the  utmoil  compofure  ;  and  we  very  rarely  have 
inftances  of  his  revenging  thefe  unprovoked  fallies  of  imperti- 
nent cruelty.  However,  when  his  anger  is  at  laft  excited,  the 
confequences  are  terrible.  Labat  tells  us  of  a  gentleman  who 
kept  a  lion  in  his  chamber,  and  employed  a  feryant  to  attend  it ; 
\\  ho,  as  is  ufual,  mixed  his  blows  with  carefTes.  This  ill-judged 
aflbciation  continued  for  forne  time  ;  till  one  morning  the  gen- 
tleman was  awakened  by  a  noife  in  his  room,  which,  at  firft,  he 
could  not  tell  the  caufe  of;  but,  drawing  the  curtains,  he  per- 
ceived a  horrid  fpeftacle ;  the  lion  growling  over  the  man's 
head,  which  he  had  feparated  from  die  body,  and  tolling  it 


CAT    KIND.  127 

round  the  floor.  He  immediately,  therefore,  flew  into  the  next 
room,  called  to  the  people  without,  and  had  the  animal  fecur- 
ed  from  doing  further  mifchief."  However,  this  fingle  account 
is  not  fufficient  to  weigh  againft  the  many  inftances  we  every 
day  fee  of  this  creature's  gentlenefs  and  fubmiflion.  He  is  often 
bred  up  with  other  domeftic  animals,  and  is  feen  to  play  inno- 
cently and  familiarly  among  them  ;  and,  if  it  ever  happens  that 
his  natural  ferocity  returns,  it  is  feldom  exerted  againfl  his  be- 
nefactors. As  his  paffions  are  ftrong,  and  his  appetites  vehe- 
ment, one  ought  not  to  prefume  that  the  impreffions  of  educa- 
tion will  always  prevail ;  fo  that  it  would  be  dangerous  in  fuch 
circumstances  to  fuffer  him  to  remain  too  long  without  food, 
or  to  perfiit  in  irritating  and  abufing  him  :  however,  number- 
lefs  acounts  allure  us  that  his  anger  is  noble,  his  courage  mag- 
nanimous, and  his  difpofition  grateful.  He  has  been  often  feen 
to  defpife  contemptible  enemies,  and  pardon  their  infults  when 
it  was  in  his  power  to  punifn  them.  He  has  been  feen  to  fpare 
the  lives  of  fuch  as  were  thrown  to  be  devoured  by  him,  to  live 
peaceably  with  them,  to  afford  them  a  part  of  his  fubfifcer.ee, 
and  fometimes  to  want  food  himfelf  rather  than  deprive  them 
of  that  life  which  his  generofity  had  fpared. 

It  may  alfo  be  faid  that  the  lion  is  not  cruel,  fmce  he  is  fa 
only  from  neceflity,  and  never  kills  more  than  he  confumes. 
"When  fatiated,  he  is  perfectly  gentle;  while  the  tiger,  the  wolf, 
and  all  the  inferior  kinds,  fuch  as  the  fox,  the  pole  cat,  and 
the  ferret,  kill  without  remorfe,  are  fierce  without  caufe,  and, 
by  their  indifcriminate  {laughter,  feem  rather  to  fatisfy  their 
malignity  than  their  hunger. 

The  outward  form  of  the  lion  feems  to  fpeak  his  internal 
generofity.  His  figure  is  (hiking,  his  look  confident  and  bold, 
his  gait  proud*  and  his  vcicTe'  terrible.  His  ftature  is  not  over- 
grown, like  that  of  the  elephant,  or  rhinoceros  ;  nor  is  his 
fliape  clumfy,  like  that  of  the  hippopotamus,  or  the  ox.  It  is 
compact,  well-proportioned,  and  fizable ;  a  perfect  model  of 
ftrength  joined  with  agility.  It  is  mufcular  and  bold,  neither 
Charged  with  fat  nor  unneceflary  flefli.  It  is  fufficient  but  to  fee 


128  ANIMALS  OF  THE 

him  in  Order,  to  be  afiured  of  his  fuperior  force.  His  large  head 
furrounded  with  a  dreadful  mane  :  all  thofe  mufcles,  that  appear 
under  the  flcin  fwelling  with  the  flighted  exertions  ;  and  the 
great  breadth  of  his  paws,  with  the  thicknefs  of  his  limbs,  plain- 
ly evince  that  no  other  animal  in  the  foreft  is  capable  ofop- 
pofmg  him.  He  has  a  very  broad  face,  that,  as  fome  have  ima- 
gined, refembles  the  human,  It  is  furrounded  with  very  long 
hnir,  which  gives  it  a  very  majeilic  air.  The  top  of  the  head, 
the  temples,  the  cheeks,  the  under  jaw,  the  neck;  the  breaft,  the 
fhculder,  the  hinder  part  of  the  legs,  and  the  belly,  are  furnim- 
ecl  with  it,  while  all  the  refl  of  the  body  is  covered  with  very 
fhort  hair,  of  a  tawny  colour.  "  The  length  of  the  hair,  in  many 
pans,  and  the  fhortnefs  of  it  in  others,  ferves  a  good  deal  to  dif- 
guiie  this  animal's  real  figure.  The  breaft,  for  inftance,  appears 
very  broad,  but,  in  reality,  it  is  as  narrow  and  contracted  in  pro- 
portion as  that  of  the  generality  of  dogs  andhorfes.  For  the  fame 
reafon,  the  tail  feems  to  be  of  an  equal  thicknefs  from  one  end  to 
the  other,  on  account  of  the  inequality  of  the  hair  with  which  it 
is  encompafied  j  in  being  fhorter  near  the  infertion  where  the 
flefhand  bones  are  large,  and  growing  longer  in  proportion  as  its 
real  thicknefs  lefTens  towards  the  point,  where  it  ends  in  a  tuft. 
The  hair  about  the  neck  and  the  breaft  is  not  different  from 
that  on  the  reft  of  the  body,  except  in  the  length  of  it  ;  nor  is 
each  hair  pointed  as  in  moft  other  animals,  but  of  an  equal  thick- 
nefs from  one  end  to  the  other.  The  neck  is  very  ftrong,  but 
not  compofed  of  one  folid  bone,  as  /.riftotle  has  imagined  :  oil 
the  contrary,  though  very  ihort  and  mufcular,  it  has  as  many 
bones  as  the  camel  or  the  horfe  ;  for  it  is  univerfal  to  all  qua- 
drupeds to  have  feven  joints  in  the  neck  ;  and  not  one  of  them 
have  either  more  or  lefs.  However,  the  mufcles  in  the  neck  of 
the  lion  that  tie  the  bones  together,  are  extremely  ftrong,  and 
have  fomewhat  the  appearance  of  bones ;  fo  that  ancient  au- 
thors, who  have  treated  of  this  animal,  have  miftaken  the  whole 
for  a  fmgle  bone.  The  tongue  is  rough,  and  befet  with  pric- 
kles as  hard  as  a  cat's  claws  ;  thefe  have  the  grain  turned  back- 
wards ;  fo  that  it  is  probable,  a  lion,  if  it  fhould  attempt  to  lick 
'A  man's  hand,  as  we  art!  told  it  fometimes  does,  would  tear  off 
ihe  flcin.  The  eyes  are  always  bright  and  fiery  ;  nor  even  in 


CAT  KIND.  129 

:h  does  this  terrible  look  forfake  them*  In  fhort,  the  ftruc- 
ture  of  the  paws,  teeth,  eyes,  and  tongue,  are  the  fame  as  in  a 
cat ;  and  alfo  in  the  inward  parts,  thefe  two  animals  fo  nearly 
referable  each  other,  that  the  anatomift's  chief  diftin&ion 
arifes  merely  from  the  fize." 

The  lion  has,  as  was  obferved  before,  a  large  mane,  which 
grows  every  year  longer  as  the  animal  grows  older  ;  the  lionefs 
ithout  this  ornament  at  every  age.  This  mane  is  not  coarfe 
or  rough  as  in  a  horfe,  but  compofed  of  the  fame  hair  with 
the  reft  of  the  body,  lengthened,  and  mining.  The  mane,  as 
well  as  the  reft  of  the  body,  is  of  a  yellow  colour  ;  nor  is  there 
ever  any  difference  to  be  found  in  the  colour  of  one  lion  from 
that  of  another.  What  the  ancients  might  have  faid  concern- 
ing black  lions,  or  white,  or  ftreaked  like  the  tiger,  is  not  con- 
firmed by  modern  experience  ;  fo  that  thefe  varieties  have  ne- 
ver been  feen,  or  exift  no  longer. 

It  is  ufually  fuppofed  that  the  lion  is  not  poiTefTed  of  the 
fenfe  of  fmellingin  fuch  perfection  as  moft  other  animals.  It 
is  alfo  obferved,  that  too  ftrong  a  light  greatly  incommodes 
him.  This  is  more  than  probable  from  the  formation  of  his 
eyes,  which,  like  thofe  of  the  cat,  feem  fitted  for  feeing  beft  in 
the  dark.  For  this  reafon,  he  feldom  apppears  in  open  day,  but 
ravages  chiefly  by  night ;  and  not  only  the  lion,  but  all  other 
animals  of  the  cat  kind,  are  kept  off  by  the  fires  which  the  in- 
habitants light  to  preferve  their  herds  and  flocks  ;  the  bright- 
nefs  of  the  flame  dazzles  their  eyes,  which  are  only  fitted  for 
feeing  in  the  dark  ;  and  they  are  afraid  to  venture  blindly  into 
thofe  places  which  they  know  to  be  filled  with  their  enemies. 
"  It  is  equally  true  of  all  this  .kind,  that  they  hunt  rather  by 
the  fight  than  the  nd  it  fometimes  happens,  that  the 

lion  purfues  ci^HRHPP'*"r  t^ie  w^d  dog,  while  they  are 
hunting  upon  IPK^pt^Upi,  when  they  have  run  the  beaft 
down,  he  corses  in  antffivonopolizes  the  fpoil.  From  hence, 
.probably,  may  have  arifen  the  ftory  of  the  lion's  provider : 
thefe  little  induftrious  animals  may  often,  it  is  true,  provide  a 

VOL,  II.  R 


ANIMALS  O?  THE 

feaft  for  the  lion  ;  but  they  have  hunted  merely  for  themfelves, 
and  he  is  an  unwelcome  intruder  upon  the  fruits  of  their  toil." 

The  lion,  when  hungry,  boldly  attacks  all  animals  that  come 
in  his  way ;  but  as  he  is  very  formidable,  and  as  they  all  feek 
to  avoid  him,  he  is  often  obliged  to  hide,  in  order  to  take  them, 
by  furprize.  For  this  purpofe  he  crouches  on  his  belly,  in  fome 
thicket,  or  among  the  long  grafs,  which  is  found  in  many 
parts  of  the  foreit;  in  this  retreat  he  continues  with  patient 
expectation,  until  his  prey  comes  within  a  proper  diftance,  and 
he  then  fp rings  after  it,  fifteen  or  twenty  feet  from  him,  and 
often  feizes  it  at  the  firft  bound.  If  he  muTes  the  effort,  and 
in  two  or  three  reiterated  fprings,  cannot  feize  his  prey,  he  con- 
tinues motionlefs  for  a  time,  feems  to  be  very  fenfible  of  his 
difappointment,  and  waits  for  a  more  fuccefsful  opportunity. 
In  the  deferts  and  forefts,  his  mod  ufual  prey  are  the  gazelles 
and  the  monkeys,  with  which  the  torrid  regions  abound.  The 
latter  he  takes  when  they  happen  to  be  upon  the  ground,  for 
he  cannot  climb  trees  like  the  cat  or  the  tiger.  He  devours  a 
great  deal  at  a  time,  and  generally  fills  himfelf  for  two  or  three 
days  to  come.  His  teeth  are  fo  ftrong,  that  he  very  eafily  breaks 
the  bones,  and  fwallows  them  with  the  reft  of  the  body.  It  is 
reported  that  he  fuftains  hunger  a  very  long  time,  but  third 
he*  cannot  fupport  in  an  equal  degree,  his  temperament  being 
extremely  hot ;  fome  have  even  aiTerted,  that  he  is  in  a  conti- 
nual fever.  He  drinks  as  often  as  he  meets  with  water,  lap- 
ping it  like  a  cat ;  which,  as  we  know,  drinks  but  flowly.  He 
generally  requires  about  fifteen  pounds  of  raw  flefh  in  a  day  ; 
he  prefers  that  of  live  animals,  and  particularly  thofe  which  he 
has  jufl  killed.  He  feldom  devours  the  bodies  of  animals  when 
they  begin  to  putrefy;,  and  he  choofes  rather  to  hunt  for  a  freih 
fpoilthan  to  return  to  that  which  he  had  half  devoured  before. 
However,  though  he  ufually  feeds  upon  frefh  provifions,  his 
breath  is  very  offenfive,  and  his  urine  insupportable. 

The  roaring  of  the  lion  is  fo  loud,  that  wherwjt  is  heard  in 
the  night,  and  re-echoed  by  the  mountains,  it  refembles  dif- 
tant  thunder.  This  roar  is  his  natural  note;  for  when  engaged, 
he  has  a  different  growl,  which  is  fhort,  broken,  and  reitera- 


CAT  KIND.  131 

ted.  The  roar  is  a  deep  hollow  growl,  which  he  fends  forth 
five  or  fix  times  a  day,  particularly  before  rains.  The  cry  of 
anger  is  much  louder,  and  more  formidable.  This  is  always 
excited  by  opposition  ;  and  upon  thofe  occafions,  when  the 
lion  fummons  up  all  his  terrors  for  the  combat,  nothing  can 
be  more  terrible.  He  then  ladies  his  fides  with  his  long  taiJ, 
which  alone  is  ftrong  enough  to  lay  a  man  level.  He  moves  his 
mane  in  every  direction;  it  feems  to  rife  and  (land  like  bridles 
round  his  head  :  the  fkin  and  mufcles  of  his  face  are  all  in 
agitation;  his  huge  eye-brows  half  cover  his  glaring  eye-balls  j 
he  difcovershis  teeth,  which  are  formed  rather  for  deflrudion 
than  chewing  his  food;  he  mows  his  tongue  covered  with 
points,  and  extends  his  claws,  which  appear  dmoft  as  long  as 
a  man's  fingers.  Prepared  in  this  manner  for  war,  there  are 
few  animals  that  will  venture  to  engage  him  ;  and  even  the 
boldeft  of  the  human  kind  are  daunted  at  his  approach.  The 
elephant,  the  rhinoceros,  the  tiger,  and  the  hippopotamos, 
are  the  only  animals  that  are  not  afraid  fingly  to  make  oppofi^ 
tion. 

Neverthelefs,  neither  the  leopard  nor  the  wild  boar,  if  pro- 
voked, will  iliim  the  combat ;  they  do  not  feek  the  lion  to  at- 
tack, but  will  not  fly  at  his  approach ;  they  wait  his  onfet, 
whirh  he  feldom  makes,  unlefs  compelled  by  hunger ;  they  then 
exert  all  their  flrength,  and  are  fometimes  fuccefsful.  We  are 
told  of  the  combat  of  a  lion  and  a  wild  boar,  in  a  meadow  near 
Algiers,  which  continued  for  a  long  time  with  incredible  ob- 
itinacy.  At  laft,  both  were  feen  to  fall  by  the  wounds  they  had 
given  each  other;  and  the  ground  all  about  them  was  covered 
with  their  blood.  Thefe  inltances  however  are  very  rare,  for  the 
lion  is  in  general  the  undifputed  mailer  of  the  foreft.  J.lnn  is 
the  only  creature  that  attacks  him  with  alrnoft  certain  fuccefs; 
with  the  afliftance  of  dogs  and  horfes,  which  are  trained  to  the 
purfuit.  Thefe  animals,  that,  in  a  ftate  of  nature,  would  have 
fled  from  the  prefence  of  the  lion,  in  an  agony  of  confternation, 
when  confcious  of  the  afiiftance  of  man,  become  purfuers  in 
turn,  and  boldly  hunt  their  natural  tyrant.  The  dogs  are  al- 
ways of  the  large  breed ;  and  the  horfes  themfelves,  as  Gefoer 


ANIMALS  OF  THE 

afTures  us,  mud  be  of  that  fort  called  charojfi,  or  lion-eyed,  aH 
others  of  this  kind  flying  at  the  fight  of  the  lion,  and  endea- 
vouring to  throw  their  riders.  When  the  lion  is  rouzed,  he 
recedes  with  a  flow,  proud  motion;  he  never  goes  off  directly 
forward,  nor  meafures  his  paces  equally,  but  takes  an  oblique 
courfe,  going  from  one  fide  to  the  other,  and  bounding,  rather 
than  running.  When  the  hunters  approach  him,  they  either 
{hoot  or  throw  their  javelins;  and  in  this  manner  difable  him, 
before  he  is  attacked  by  the  dogs,  many  of  whom  he  would  other- 
wife  deflroy.  He  is  very  vivacious,  and  is  never  killed  at  once, 
but  continues  to  fight  defperately  even  after  he  has  received 
his  mortal  blow.  He  is  alfo  taken  by  pit-falls;  the  natives  dig- 
ging a  deep  hole  in  the  ground,  and  covering  it  (lightly  over 
with  flicks  and  earth  ;  which,  however,  give  way  beneath  his 
weight,  and  he  finks  to  the  bottom,  from  whence  he  has  no. 
means  of  efcape.  But  the  moil  ufual  manner  of  taking  this  ani- 
mal, is  while  yet  a  cub,  and  incapable  of  refiflance.  The  place 
near  the  den  of  the  lionefs  is  generally  well  known  by  the 
greatnefs  of  her  depredations  on  that  occafion  ;  the  natives, 
therefore,  watch  the  time  of  her  ab fence,  and,  aided  by  a  fwift 
liorfe,  carry  off  her  cubs;  which  they  fell  to  ilrangers,  or  to  the 
great  men  of  their  country. 

The  lion,  while  young  and  active,  lives  by  hunting  in  the  fb- 
reft,  at  the  greatefl  diflance  from  any  human  habitation;  and  fel- 
dom  quits  this  retreat  while  able  to  fubfifl  by  his  natural  induf- 
try ;  but  when  he  becomes  oM  and  unfit  for  the  purpofes  of  fur- 
prize,  he  boldly  comes  down  into  places  more  frequented,  at- 
tacks the  flocks  and  herds  that  take  fhelter  near  the  habitation 
of  the  fhepherd  or  the  hufbandman,  and  depends  rather  upon 
his  courage  than  his  addrefs,  for  fupport.  It  is  remarkable, 
however,  that  when  he  makes  one  of  thefe  defperate  fallies, 
if  he  finds  men  and  quadrupeds  in  the  fame  field,  he  only  at- 
tacks the  latter,  and  never  meddles  with  men,  unlefsthey  pro- 
voke him  to  engage.  It  is  obferved,  that  he  prefers  the  flefh  of 
camels  to  any  other  food  ;  he  is  likewife  faid  to  be  fond  of  that 
of  young  elephants ;  thefc  he  often  attacks  before  their  trunk 


CAT  KIND.  133 

is  yet  grown;  and,  unlefs  the  old  elephant  comes  to  their  aiTif- 
tance,  he  makes  them  an  eafy  r. 

The  lion  is  terrible  upon  all  occafions,  but  particularly  at 
thole  feafons  when  he  is  incited  by  defire,  or  when  the  female 
has  brought  forth.  It  is  tlvjn  that  the  lionefs  is  feen  followed 

o 

by  eight  or  ten  males,  who  fight  molt  bloody  battles  among  each 
other,  till  one  of  them  becomes  victorious  over  all  the  reft.  She 
is  faid  to  bring  forth  in  fpring,  and  to  produce  but  once  a  year. 
With  refpect   to   the  time  of  geilation,   naturaiifts  have  been 
divided,  fome  averting  that  the  lionefs  went  with  young  fix 
months,  and  others  but  two.  The  time  alfo  of  their  growth  and 
their  age,  have  hitherto  been  left  in  obfcurity  ;   fome  aliening 
that  they  acquired  their  full  growth  in  three  years,  and  others 
that  they  required  a  longer  period  to  come  to  perfection ;  ibme 
faying  (and  among  this  number  is  mr.  Buffon)  that  they  lived 
to  about  twenty,  or  twenty-two  years  at  mod;  ethers  making 
their  lives  even  of  fhorcer  duration.    All  thefe  doubts  are  now 
reduced  to  certainty  •,  for  we  have  had  feverai  of  thefe  animals 
bred  in  the  tower ;  fo  that  the  manner  of  their  copulation,  the 
time  of  their  geftation,  the  number  they  bring  forth,  and  the 
time  they  take  to  come  to  perfection,  are  all  pretty  well  known. 
Although  the  lion  emits  his  urine  backwards,  yet  he  couples  in 
the  ordinary  manner;  and,  as  was  faid  before,  his  internal  ftruc- 
ture,  in  almoft  every  refpeft,  refembles  that  of  a  cat.  The  lion- 
efs, however,    is  upon  thefe  occafions  particularly  fierce,  and 
often  wounds  the  lion  in  a  terrible  manner.     She  goes  i 
young,  as  I  am  aflured  by  her  keeper,  no  more  than  five  months; 
the  young  one?,  which  are  never  more  than    two  in  number, 
when  brought  forth,  are  about  the  fize  of  a  large  pug  dog,  harm- 
lefs,   pretty,  and  playful ;    they   continue   the  teat  fcr  t v 
months,  and  the  animal  is  more  than  five  years  in  coming  to 
perfection.   As  to  its  age,   from  ins  imnrifoncJ  ft  ate,    \\v 
have  no  certainty  ;  fince  it  is  very  probable,  that,  being  depriv- 
ed of  its  natural  climate,  food,   and  exercife,   it  .1  be 
very  much  abridged.  However,  naturalifts  have  hitherto  . 
greatly  miftaken  as  to  the  length  of  its  exiilence.  1 
lie-lion,    called  Pompey,   which  died  in  the  year   i  - 


134  A'NIM  ALS  OF  THE 

known  to  have  been  in  the  tower  for  above  feventy  years  •,  and 
one  lately  died  there,  xvhich  was  brought  from  the  river  Gam- 
bia, that  died  above  fixty-three.  The  lion,  therefore,  is  a  very 
long-lived  animal;  and,  very  probably,  in  his  native  forefts,  his 
age  exceeds  even  that  of  man  himfelf. 

In  this  animal,  all  the  paffions,  even  of  the  moil  gentle  kind, 
are  in  excefs,  but  particularly  tire  attachment  of  the  female  to 
her  young.  The  lionefs,  though  naturally  lefs  ftrong,  lefs  cou- 
rageous, and  lefs  mifchievous  than  the  lion,  becomes  terrible 
when  ihe  has  got  young  ones  to  provide  for.  She  then  makes 
her  incuriions.  with  even  more  intrepidity  than  the  lion  him- 
felf; fhe  throws  herfelf  indifcriminarely  among  men  and  other 
animals;  deftroys  without  diftinclion;  loads  herfelf  with  the 
fpoil,  and  brings  it  home  reeking  to  her  cubs;  whom  (he  accuf- 
toms  betimes  to  cruelty  and  (laughter.  She  ufually  brings  forth 
in  the  mod  retired  and  inacceflible  places;  and  when  fhe  fears 
to  have  her  retreat  difcovered,  often  hides  her  tracks,  by  run- 
Ring  back  her  ground,  or  by  bruihing  them  out  with  her  tail. 
She  fometimes  alfo,  when  her  apprehenfions  are  great,  tranf- 
ports  them  from  one  place  to  another;  and,  if  obftru£ted,  de- 
fends them  with  determined  courage,  and  rights  to  the  laft. 

The  lion  is  chiefly  an  inhabitant  of  the  torrid  zone;  and,  as 
Hvasfaid,  is  always  moft  formidable  there:  neverthelefs,  he  can 
fubfift  in  more  temperate  climates;  and  there  was  a  time  when 
even  the  fouthern  parts  of  Europe  were  infeftcd  by  him.  At 
prefenthe  is  only  found  in  Africa  and  the  Eaft-Indies  ;  in  fome 
of  which  countries  he  grows  to  an  enormous  height.  The  lion 
«jf  Bildulgerid  is  faid  to  be  nearly  five  feet  high,  and  between 
nine  and  ten  feet  from  the  tip  of  ihe  nofe  to  the  infertion  of 
the  tail.  We  have  in  the  tower,  at  prefenr,  one  of  above  four 
feet  high,  that  was  brought  from  Morocco,  which  is  the  lar- 
geft  that  for  fome  time  pad  has  been  feen  in  Europe.  The  or- 
dinary fize  is  between  three  and  four  feet*,  the  female  being  in 
all  her  dimenfions  about  one  third  lefs  than  the  male.  There 
are  no  lions  in  America ;  the  puma,  which  has  received  the 
siame  of  the  American  lion,  is,  when  compared,  a  very  con- 


CAT  RIND.  133 

temptible  animal,  having  neither  the  fhape,  the  fize,  nor  the 
mane  of  the  lion  ;  being  known  to  be  extremely  cowardly,  to 
climb  trees  for  its  prey,  to  fubfift  rather  by  it*  cunning  than 
its  courage,  and  to  be  inferior  even  to  the  animal  that  goes  by 
the  name  of  the  American  tiger.  We  ought  not,  therefore,  to 
confound  this  little  treacherous  creature  with  the  lion,  which 
all  the  ancients  have  concurred  in  denominating  the  king  of 
beads,  and  which  they  have  defcribed  as  brave  and  merciful. 
"  Indeed,  the  numerous  accounts  which  they  have  given  us  of 
this  animaFs  generofity  and  tendernefs,  fhow  that  there  mud  be 
fome  foundation  for  the  general  belief  of  its  good  qualities;  for 
mankind  feldom  err  when  they  are  all  found  to  unite  in  the 
fame  ftory.  However,  perhaps,  the  caution  of  Ariftophanes, 
the  comic  poet,  is  better  followed-in  practice,  who  advifes  us  to 
have  nothing  to  do  with  this  creature,  but  to  let  the  lionefs 
fuckle  her  own  whelps*." 


T  H  E-  T  I  G  E  R. 

"  THE  ancients  had  a  faying,  That  as  the  peacock  is  the  mop 
beautiful  among  birds,  fo  is  the  tiger  among  quadrupeds-^.  In  fact, 
no  quadruped  can  be  more  beautiful  than  this  animal  ;  the 
glolTy  fmoothnefs  of  his  hair,  which  lies  much  fmoother,  and 
dines  with  greater  brightnefs  than  even  that  of  the  leopard  ; 
the  extreme  blacknefs  of  the  ftreaks  with  which  he  is  marked, 
and  the  bright  yellow  colour  of  the  ground  which  they  diverlify, 
at  once  flrike  the  beholder.  To  this  beauty  of  colouring,  is  added 
an  extremely  elegant  form,  much  larger  indeed  than  that  of  the 
leopard,  but  more  flender,  more  delicate,  and  befpeaking  the 
moil  extreme  fwiftnefs  and  agility.  Unhappily,  however,  this 
animal's  difpofition  is  as  mifchievous  as  its  form  is  admirable, 
as  if  providence  was  willing  to  (how  the  fmall  value  of  beauty, 
by  bellowing  it  on  the  mod  noxious  of  quadrupeds.  We  have, 


Of  X?*1 

f  Tantem   autcm  prxflat  pulchritudiae   tynr-is  inter   alias  fsras 
icter  voiucres  pavo. 


ANIMALS  OF  THE 

at  prefer:*,  one  of  thefe  animals  in  the  Tower,  which  to  the  vic\v 
appears  the  mo  ft  good  natured  and  harmlefs  creature  in  the 
world  :  its  phyfiognomy  is  far  from  fierce  or  angry  ;  it  has  not 
the  commanding,  ftern  countenance  of  the  lion,  but  a  gentle, 
placid  a$r  j  yet  for  all  this,  it  is  fierce  and  favage  beyond  rnea- 
fure  j  neither  correcting  can  terrify  it,  nor  indulgence  can  tame. 

The  chief  and  inoft  obfervable  diftinctioii  in  the  tiger,  and  in 
which  it  differs  from  all  others  of  the  mottled  kind,  is  in  the 
fhape  of  its  colours,  which  run  in  ftreaks  or  brands  in  the  fame 
direction  as  his  ribs  from  the  back  down  to  the  belly.  The  leo- 
pard, the  panther,  and  the  ounce,  are  all  partly  covered  like  this 
animal,  but  with  this  difference,  that  their  colours  are  broken 
in  fpots  all  over  the  body  ;  whereas,  in  the  tiger,  they  ft  retch 
lengthwife,  and  there  is  fcarce  a  round  fpot  to  be  found  on  his 
ikin.  Befides  this,  there  are  other  obfervable  diftinctions  :  the 
tiger  is  much  larger,  and  often  found  bigger  even  than  the  lion 
himfelf :  it  is  much  tenderer  alfo  in  proportion  to  its  fize  ;  its 
legs  morter,  and  its  neck  and  body  longer.  In  fhort,  of  all  other 
animals,  it  inoft  refembles  the  cat  in  ihape ;  and,  if  we  con- 
ceive the  latter  magnified  to  a  very  great  degree,  we  {hall  have 
a  tolerable  idea  of  the  former. 

In  claffing  carnivorous  animals,  we  may  place  the  lion  fore- 
mod*  ;  and  immediately  after  him  follows  the  tiger,  which 
feems  to  partake  of  all  the  noxious  qualities  of  the  lion  without 
{haring  any  of  his  good  ones.  To  pride,  courage,  and  ftrength, 
the  lion  joins  greatnefs,  clemency,  and  generofity  ;  but  the  ti* 
ger  is  fierce  without  provocation,  and  cruel  without  neceflity. 
The  lion  feldom  ravages  except  when  excited  by  hunger;  the  ti- 
<rer,  on  the  contrary,  though  glutted  with  (laughter,  is  not  fa- 
tisfied,  ftill  continues  the  carnage,  and  feems  to  have  its  cou- 
rage only  inflamed  by  not  finding  refinance.  In  falling  in 
among  a  flock  or  a  herd,  it  gives  no  quarter,  but  levels  all  with 
indifcriminate  cruelty,  and  fcarce  finds  time  to  appeafe  its  ap- 
petite while  intent  upon  fatisfying  the  malignity  of  its  nature. 
It  thus  becomes  the  fcourge  of  the  country  where  it  is  found. \ 

*  The  remainder  of  this  defcription   is  taken  from  mr.    Button,  except 
•where  marked  with  inverted  convmas. 


CAT  K I N  t>.  1-3.7 

it  fears  neither  the  threats  nor  the  oppofition  of  mankind  5 
the  beads,  both  wild  and  tame,  fall  equally  a  facrifice  to  its 
infatiabie  fury  ;  the  young  elephant  and  the  rhinoceros  become 
equally  its  prey,  and  it  not  unfrquentlv  ventures  to  attack  the 
lion  himfelf. 

Happily  for  the  reft  of  nature,  that  this  animal  is  not  common, 
and  thatthe  fpecies  is  chiefly  confined  to  the  warmeft  provinces 
of  the  eaft.  The  tiger  is  found  in  Malabar,  in  Siam,  in  Bengal, 
and  in  all  the  countries  which  are  inhabited  by  the  elephant  or 
the  rhinoceros.  Some  even  pretend  that  it  has  a  friendfhip  ;oi', 
and  often  accompanies  the  latter,  In  order  to  devour  its  excre- 
ments, which  ferve  it  as  a  purge,  Be  this  as  it  will,  there  is  no 
doubt  but  that  they  are  ofte  .  feen  together  at  the  fides  of  lakes 
and  rivers  ;  where  they  ?.re  probably  both  compelled  to  go  by 
the  third  which,  in  that  torrid  climate,  they  muft  very  often  en- 
dure. It  is  likely  enough  alfo  that  they  feldom  make  war  upon 
each  other,  the  rhinoceros  being  a  peaceable  animal,  and  the 
tiger  knowing  its  ftrength  too  well  to  venture  the  engagement. 
It  is  Hill  more  likely  that  the  tiger  finds  this  a  very  convenient 
fituation,  fince  it  can  there  furprize  a  greater  number  of  ani- 
mals, which  are  compelled  thither  from  the  fame  motives.  In 
fact,  it  is  generally  known  to  lurk  ner.r  fuch  places  where  it  has 
an  opportunity  of  choofing  its  prey,  or  rather  of  multiplying  its 
maflacres.  When  it  has  killed  one,  it  often  goes  to  deftroy 
others,  fwallowing  their  blood  at  large  draughts,  and  feeming 
rather  glutted  than  fatiated  with  its  abundance. 

However,  when  it  has  killed  a  large  animal,  fuch  as  a  horfe, 
or  a  buffalo,  it  immediately  begins  to  devour  it  on  the  fpot, 
fearing  to  be  difturbed.  In  order  to  feat  at  his  eafe,  it  car- 
ries off  its  prey  to  the  foreft,  dragging  it  along  with  fuch  eafe, 
that  the  fwiftnefs  of  its  motion  feems  fcarce  retarded  by  the 
enormous  load  that  it  fuftains.  From  this  alone  we  may  judge 
of  its  ftrength;  but,  to  have  a  niore  juft  idea  of  this  parti- 
cular, let  us  ftop  a  moment  to  confider  the  dimenfions  of 
this  moft  formidable  creature.  Sbme  travellers  have  com- 
pared it  for  fize  to  a  hcrfe,  and  others  to  a  buffalo,  while 

VOL.  II.  S 


ANIMALS   OF  THE 

others  have  contented  themfelves  with  faying,  that  it  is 
much  larger  than  a  lion.  We  have  recent  accounts  of  this 
animal's  magnitude,  that  deferve  the  utmoft  confidence.  Mr. 
Buffon  has  been  allured,  by  one  of  his  friends,  that  he  faw  a 
tiger,  in  the  EaR-Indies,  of  fifteen  feet  long.  "  Suppofing 
that  he  means  including  the  tail,  this  animal,  allowing  four 
feet  for  that,  mud  have  been  eleven  feet  from  the  tip  of  the 
nofe  to  the  infertion  of  the  tail.  Indeed,  that  which  is  now 
in  the  tower,  is  not  fo  large  ;  being,  as  well  as  I  could  mea- 
fure,  fix  feet  from  the  tip  to  the  infertion,  and  the  tail  was 
three  feet  more.  Like  all  the  reft  of  its  kind,  its  motions  are 
irregular  and  defultory  ;  it  bounds  rather  than  runs  -,  and,  like 
them,  rather  choofes  to  take  its  prey  by  furprize  than  to  be  at 
the  trouble  of  hunting  it  down."  How  large  a  leap  it  can 
take  at  once,  we  may  eaiily  judge,  by  comparing  what  it 
might  do  to  what  we  fee  fo  fmall  an  animal  as  the  cat  actually 
perform.  The  cat  can  leap  feveral  feet  at  a  bound  ;  and  the 
tiger,  who  is  ten  times  as  long,  can  no  doubt  fpring  propor- 
tLnably. 

t(  The  tiger  is  the  only  animal  whofe  fpirit  feems  untame- 
able.  Neither  force  nor  conftraint,  neither  violence  nor  flattery, 
can  prevail  in  the  leaft  on  its  ftubborn  nature.  1  he  carefTes 
of  the  keeper  have  no  influence  on  their  heart  of  iron;  and 
time,  inftead  of  mollifying  its  difpofition,  only  ferves  to  in- 
creafe  its  fiercenefs  and  malignity.  The  tiger  fnaps  at  the 
hand  that  feeds  it  as  well  as  that  by  which  it  is  chaftifed  : 
every  object  feems  confidered  only  as  its  proper  prey,  which 
it  devours  with  a  look;  and  although  confined  by  bars  and 
chains,  ftill  makes  fruitlefs  efforts,  as  if  to  (how  its  malignity 
when  incapable  of  exerting  its  force." 

To  give  a  ftill  more  complete  idea  of  the  ftrength  of  this 
terrible  creature,  we  (hall  quote  a  paflage  from  father  Tachard, 
who  was  an  eye-witnefs  of  a  combat  bet  r  een  a  tiger  and 
three  elephants  at  Siam.  For  this  purpofe,  the  king  ordered 
a  lofty  palifade  to  be  built  of  bambou  cane,  about  a  hun- 
dred feet  fquare  ;  and,  in  the  midft  of  this,  were  three  ele- 


,  CAT   KIND.  139 

phants  appointed  for  combating  the  tiger.  Their  heads  raid 
a  part  of  their  trunk  was  covered  with  a  kind  of  armour,  like 
a  maik,  \vhich  defended  that  part  from  the  aflaults  of  the 
fierce  animal  with  which  they  were  to  engage.  As  foon,  fays 
this  author,  as  we  were  arrived  at  the  place,  a  tiger  was 
brought  forth  from  its  den,  of  a  (ize  much  larger  than  we 
had  ever  feen  before.  It  was  not  at  firft  let  loofe,  but  held  with 
chords,  fo  that  one  of  the  elephants  approaching,  gave  it  three 
or  four  terrible  blows,  with  its  trunk,  on  the  back,  with  fuch 
force,  that  the  tiger  was,  for  fome  time,  ftunned,  and  laid 
without  motion,  as  if  it  had  been  dead.  However,  as  foon  as. 
it  was  let  loofe,  and  at  full  liberty,  although  the  firfl  blows 
had  greatly  abated  its  fury,  it  made  at  the  elephant  with  a 
loud  (hriek,  and  aimed  at  feizing  his  trunk.  But  the  elephant, 
wrinkling  it  up  with  great  dexterity,  received  the  tiger  on  his 
great  teeth,  and  tofled  it  up  into  the  air.  This  fo  difcouraged 
the  furious  animal,  that  it  no  more  ventured  to  approach  the 
elephant,  but  made  feveral  circuits  round  the  palifade,  often 
attempting  to  fly  at  the  fpeclators.  Shortly  after,  three  ele- 
phants were  fent  againfl  it,  and  they  continued  to  ftrike  itr 
fo  terribly  with  their  trunks,  that  it  once  more  lay  for  dead; 
and  they  would  certainly  have  killed  it,  had  not  there  been  a. 
flop  put  to  the  combat^. 

From  this  account,  we  may  readily  judge  of  the  ftrength 
of  this  animal,  which,  though  reduced  to  captivity,  and  held 
by  chords,  though  firft  difabled,  and  fet  alone  againft  three, 
yet  ventured  to  continue  the  engagement,  and  even  that 
againft  animals  covered  and  protected  from  its  fury. 

«  Captain  Hamilton  informs  us,  that  in  the  Sundali  Rai- 
jha's  dominions,  there  are  three  forts  of  tigers  in  the  woods, 
and  that  the  fmalleft  are  the  fierceft.  This  is  not  above  two 
feet  high,  appears  to  be  extremely  cunning,  and  delights  in 
human  flefh.  The  fecond  kind  is  about  three  feet  high,  and 
hunts  deer  and  wild  hogs,  befides  the  little  animal  which  has 
been  already  defcribed,  under  the  name  of  the  chevrotain,  or 
Guinea  deer.  The  tiger  of  the  largeft  fort,  is  above  three  feet 


ANIMALS  OF  THE 

and  a  half  high  ;  but,  although  endowed  with  greater  powers 
Is,  by  no  means,  fo  rapacious  as  either  of  the  former.  This 
formidable  animal,  which  is  called  the  royal  tiger  (one  of 
which  we  have  at  prefent  in  the  tower)  does  not  fcem  fo  ra- 
venous nor  fo  dangerous,  and  is  even  more  cowardly.  A  pea- 
fant  in  that  country,  as  this  traveller  informs,  us,  had  a  buf- 
falo fallen  into  a  quagmire,  and.  while  he  went  for  afliftance, 
there  came  a  large  tiger,  that,  with  its  fingle  ftrength,  drew 
forth  the  animal,  which  the  united  force  of  many  men  could 
not  effeft.  When  the  people  returned  to  the  place,  the  firil 
objecl:  they  beheld  was  the  tiger,  who  had  thrown  the  buf- 
falo over  its  moulder,  as  a  fox  does  a  goofe,  and  was  carry- 
ing it  away>  with  the  feet  upward,  towards  its  den  ;  however, 
as  foon  as  it  faw  the  men,  it  let  fall  its  prey,  and  inftantly  fled 
to  the  woods  :  but  it  had  previoufly  killed  the  buffalo,  and 
fucked  its  blood ;  and,  no  doubt,  the  people  were  very  well 
fatisfied  with  its  retreat.  It  may  be  obferved,  that  fome  Eaft- 
Indian  buffalos  weigh  above  a  thoufand  pounds,  which  is  twice 
as  heavy  as  the  ordinary  run  of  our  black  cattle  ;  fo  that 
from  hence  we  may  form  a  conception  of  the  enormous 
flrength  of  this  rapacious  animal,  that  could  thus  run  off 
with  a  weight  at  lean;  twice  as  great  as  that  of  itfelf. 

"  Were  this  animal  as  common  as  the  panther,  or  even 
as  the  lion  himfelf,  thus  furnifhed  as  it  is  with  the  power  to 
deftroy,  and  the  appetite  for  (laughter,  the  country  v.  ould  be 
uninhabitable  where  it  refides.  But,  luckily,  the  fpecies  is  ex- 
tremely fcarce  ;  and  has  been  fo  fince  the  earliefl  accounts 
we  have  had  of  the  tiger.  About  the  times  of  Augufcus,  we 
are  aflured  by  Pliny*,  that  when  panthers  were  brought  to 
Rome  by  hundreds,  a  fingle  tiger  was  confidered  as  an  ex- 
traordinary fight  ;  and  he  tells  us,  that  the  emperor  Claudius 
was  able  to  procure  four  only  ;  which  mows  how  difficultly 
they  were  procured.  The  incredible  fiercenefs  of  this  animal, 
may  be,  in  fome  meafure,  the  caufe  of  the  fcarcity  which  was 
then  at  Rome,  fince  it  was  the  opinion  of  Varro,  that  the  ti- 

*  Plin.  Hid.  Nat.  lib.  viii.  c.~  17. 


"Vol.  H. 


TlateXFI. 


Jfc 


cma 


CAT   KIND.  14* 

gcr  was  :  :  but  its  being  a  native  only  of 

Eait-Indies,  and  that  particularly  of  the  warmer  regions,   it 
is  not  to  be  wondered  that  the  ipccies  ihov-Ui  be  i-j  I 

We  may,  therefore,  coi  :  true  ftreaked 

tiger,  as  one  of  the  iearceit  of  ar.L  I  much  Icfs   dii- 

fukd  than  that  of  the  lion.  As  to  the  number  of  its  ycr 
we  have  no  certain  accounts  ;  however,  it  is  faid,  that  it  brings 
forth  four  or  five  at  a  time.  Although  furioas  at  ail  times, 
the  female,  upon  this  occafion,  exceeds  her  ufual  rapacity  ; 
and,  if  her  young  are  taken  from  her,  (lie  purfues  the  ipoiler 
with  incredible  rage  ;  he,  to  lave  a  part,  is  contented  to  lofe 
a  part,  and  drops  one  of  her  cubs,  with  which  me  immedi- 
ately returns  to  her  den,  and  again  puriues  him ;  he  then 
t'rops  another,  and  by  the  tl.rie  ihe  has  returned  with  that,  he 
generally  efcapes  with  the  remainder.  If  me  lofes  her  young 
entirely,  (he  then  becomes  defperate,  boldly  approaches  even 
the  towns  themfelves,  and  commits  incredible  daughter.  1  lie 
tiger  expreiTes  its  refentrnent  in  the  fame  manner  with  the 
-lion  ;  it  moves  the  mufcbs  and  (kin  of  its  face,  {hows  its 
teeth,  and  fhrieks  in  the  moft  frightful  manner.  ILS  nc : 
very  different  from  that  of  the  lion  ;  being  rather  a  icrsani 
than  a  roar  :  and  the  ancients  exprefled  it  very  well,  when 
they  faid,  that,  tigridij  -•'-"/  que  /V, 

The  fkin  of  thefe  animals  is  much  efteemed  all  over  the  eaft, 
particularly  in  China  ;  the  Mandarines  cover  their  feats  cf  juf- 
tice  in  the  public  places  with  it,  and  convert  it  into  cover' 
for  cushions  in  winter.  In  Europe,  thefe  fkins,  though  but 
feldoni  to  be  met  with,  are  of  no  great  value,  thefe  of  the 
panther  and  the  leopard  being  held  in  much  greater  eftima- 
tion.  This  is  all  the  little  benefit  we  derive  from  this  dread- 
ful animal,  of  which  fo  many  falfehoods  have  been  reported ; 
as,  that  its  fweat  was  poifonous,  and  the  hair  cf  its  whi: 
more  dangerous  than  an  envenomed  arrow.  But  the  real  mif- 
chiefs  which  the  tiger  occafions  while  living,  are  fufficient, 
without  giving  imaginary  ones  to  the  parts  of  its  body  when 

*  Tigris  vivui  cap!  ad  hue  non  potuit.  Var.  de  ling.  Lat. 


142  ANIMALS   OF    THE 

dead.  'In  fact,  the  Indians  fometimes  eat  its  nefn,  and  find  it 
neither  disagreeable  nor  unwholefome. 

There  is  an  animal  of  America,  which  is  ufually  called  the 
red  tiger,  but  mr.  BufFon  calls  it  the  cougar,  which,  no  doubt> 
is  very  different  from  the  tiger  of  the  eaft.  Some,  however, 
have  thought  proper  to  rank  both  together  ;  and  I  will  take 
leave  to  follow  their  example,  merely  becaufe  the  cougar  is 
more  like  a  tiger  in  every  thing,  except  the  colour,  than  any 
other  animal  I  know  ;  having  the  head,  the  body,  and  the  neck, 
fhaped  very  much  in  the  fame  manner.  Of  thefe  flight  dif- 
ferences, words  would  but  give  a  very  faint  idea  ;  it  will  be, 
therefore,  fuflicient  to  obicrve,  that  they  are  both  equally 
Haider,  and  are  fmnller  where  the  neck  joins  the  head,  than 
others  of  the  panther  kind.  There,  is  one  at  prefent  in  the 
tower  j  and  it  feemed  to  me,  as  well  as  I  could  fee  it  through 
the  bars,  that  were  it  properly  flreaked  and  coloured,  it  would 
in  all  things  referable  a  fmall  tiger.  It  is,  however,  of  a  very 
different  colour,  being  of  a  deep  brown,  and  the  tail  very 
long  and  pointed.  It  is  rather  darker  on  the  back  ;  under  the 
chin  it  is  a  little  whitifh,  as  alfo  on  the  lower  part  of  the  belly. 

Of  all  the  American  animals,  this  is  the  mofl  formidable 
and  mifchievous  ;  even  their  pretended  lion  not  excepted.  It 
is  faid,  there  are  feveral  forts  of  them ;  and,  as  well  as  I  can 
remember,  I  have  feen  one  or  two  here  in  England,  both  dif- 
fering from  the  prefent,  in  fize  and  conformation.  It  is,  in- 
deed, a  vain  endeavour  to  attempt  to  defer ibe  all  the  lefs  ob- 
vious varieties  in  the  cat  kind.  If  we  examine  them  minutely, 
we  (hall  fmd  the  differences  multiply  upon  us  fo  much,  that, 
inftead  of  a  hiitory,  we  (hall  only  be  paid  with  a  catalogue  of 
diftinctions.  From  fuch  of  them  as  I  have  feen,  within  thefe 
laft  fix  years,  I  think  I  could  add  two  animals  of  this  fpecies, 
that  have  not  been  hitherto  defer ibed,  and  with  the  names  of 
which  he  that  (howed  them  was  utterly  unacquainted.  But  it 
is  a  poor  ambition,  that  of  being  eager  to  find  out  new  dif- 
tinftions,  or  adding  one  noxious  animal  more  to  a  lift  that 
is  already  fufliciently  numerous.  Were  the  knowing  a  new 
variety  to  open  an  unknown  hiftory,  or  in  the  leajft  to  extend 


CAT  KIND,    ,  143 

our  knowledge,  the  enquiry  would  be  rhen  worth  purfumg ; 
but  what  fig^ines  mentioning  fome  trifling  difference,  and 
from  thence  becoming  authors  of  a  new  name,  when  the 
ui/.jrcnce  might  have  originally  proceeded  either  from  cli- 
mate, foil,  or  mdifcriminate  copulation  ? 

The  cougars  are  extremely  common  in  South- America, 
and,  where  the  towns  border  upon  the  foreft,  thefe  make  fre- 
quent incurfions  by  night  into  the  midft  of  the  ftreets,  car- 
rying off  fowls,  dogs,  and  other  domeitic  creatures.  They  are, 
however,  but  weak  and  contemptible,  compared  to  the  great 
tiger,  being  found  unable  to  cope  with  a  fingle  man.  The 
Negroes  and  Luiians  are  very  dexterous  in  encountering  them  ; 
fome,  even  for  the  fake  of  their  fkins,  feek  them  in  their 
retreats.  The  arras  in  this  combat  feemingly  fo  dangerous, 
are  only  a  lance  of  two  or  three  yards  long,  made  of  heavy 
wocd,  with  the  point  hardened  in  the  fire  ;  and  a  kind  of  fey- 
mitar,  of  about  three  quarters  of  a  yard  in  length.  Thus  arm- 
ed, they  wait  till  the  tiger  makes  an  affault  againft  the  left 
hand,  which  holds  the  lance,  and  is  wrapped  up  in  a  fhoft 
cloak  of  baize.  Sometimes  the  animal,  aware  of  the  danger, 
feems  to  decline  the  combat ;  but  then  its  antagonift  provokes 
it  with  a  flight  touch  of  the  launce,  in  order,  while  he  is 
defending  himfelf,  to  ftrike  a  fure  blow.  As  foon,  therefore,  as 
the  creature  feels  the  lance,  it  grafps  it  with  one  of  its  paws, 
and  with  the  other  ftrikes  at  the  arm  which  holds  it.  Then  it 
is  that  the  perfon  nimbly  aims  a  blow  with  his  fcymitar,  which 
he  kept  concealed,  with  the  other  hand,  and  hamftrings  the 
creature,  which  immediately  draws  back  enraged,  but  in- 
fUntly  returns  to  the  charge.  But  then,  receiving  another 
ftroke,  it  is  totally  deprived  of  the  power  of  motion :  and 
the  combatant,  killing  it  at  his  leifure,  drips  the  fidn,  cuts 
off  the  head,  and  returns  to  his  companions,  difplaying  thefe 
as  the  trophies  of  his  victory. 

This  animal,  as  we  ?.re  affured,  is  often  more  fuccefsful 
againft  the  crocodile  ;  and  it  is  the  only  quadruped  in  that 
part  of  the  world,  that  is  not  afraid  of  the  engagement.  It 


144  ANIMALS    OF    THE 

muft  be  no  unpieafant  fight  to  obferve,  from  a  place  of  fafety, 
this  extraordinary  combat,  between  animals  fo  terrible  and 
obnoxious  to  man.  Such  as  have  feen  it,  defcribe  it  in  the 
following  manner.  When  the  tiger,  impelled  by  third,  that 
iecms  continually  to  confume  it,  comes  down  to  the  river- 
i'ae  to  drink,  the  crocodile,  which  makes  no  diftin&ion  in 
its  pvey,  lifts  its  head  above  water  to  feize  it  ;  the  tiger,  Hot 
lefs  rapacious  than  the  other,  and  unacquainted  with  the  force 
of  the  enemy,  boldly  ventures  to  feize  it,  and  plunges  its 
.clawsinto  the  eyes  of  the  crocodile,  which  is  the  only  vulnerable 
part  of  its  body  :  upon  this  the  crocodile  inftantly  dives  under 
water,  and  the  tiger  goes  down  with  him,  for  it  will  fooner  die 
than  let  go  its  hold.  In  this  manner,  the  combat  continues 
for  fome  time,  until  the  tiger  is  drowned,  or  efcapes,  as  is 
fometimes  the  cafe,  from  its  difabled  enemy. 

Thefe  animals  are  common  in  Guiana*.  They  were  for- 
merly feen  fwimming  over,  in  great  numbers,  into  the  ifland 
of  Cayenne,  to  attack  and  ravage  the  flocks  and  herds  of  the 
inhabitants.  In  the  beginning,  they  were  a  terrible  fcourge  to 
the  infant  colony  •,  but,  by  degrees,  they  were  repulfed  and 
deftroyed,  and  are  now  feen  no  longer  at  that  place.  They  are 
found  in  Brazil,  in  Paraguay,  in  the  country  of  the  Amazons, 
and  in  feveral  other  parts  of  South- America.  They  often  climb 
trees  in  quell  of  prey,  or  to  avoid  their  purfuers.  They  arc 
deterred  by  fire,  like  all  other  animals  of  the  cat  kind  ;  or, 
more  properly  fpeaking,  they  feldom  venture  near  thofe  places 
where  they  fee  it  kindled,  as  they  are  always  fure  of  their 
enemies  being  near,  and  their  nocturnal  eyes  are  dazzled  by 
the  brightnefs  of  the  blaze.  From  the  defcription  of  this  ani- 
mal, one  would  be  hardly  led  to  fuppofe,  that  its  flem  was 
good  for  food  ;  and  yet  we  have  feveral  accounts  which  al- 
lege the  fa6t,  fome  aflerting'it  to  be  fuperior  to  mutton  :  how- 
ever, what  monficur  Des  Marchais  obferves,  is  moft  likely  to 
be  true  ;  namely,  that  the  moft  valuable  pare  of  this  animal 
is  its  (kin,  and  that  its  flefh  is  but  indifferent  eating,  being  ge- 
nerally lean,  and  ufualiy  having  a  flrong  fumet. 

*  BufFon,  vol.  xix.  p.  23. 


CAT  KIND.  *4J 

THE  PANTHER,  AND  THE   LEOPARD, 

WE  have  hitherto  found  no  great  difficulty  in  diftinguim- 
ing  one  animal  from  another,  each  carrying  its  own  pecu- 
liar marks,  which,  in  fome  meafure,  ferv~  to  feparate  it  from 
all  the  reft.  But  it  is  otherwife,  when  we  come  to  thefe  of 
the  cat  kind,  that  fill  up  the  chafm  between  the  tiger  and  the 
cat.  The  fpots  with  which  their  fkins  are  diverfified,  are  fo 
various,  and  their  fize  fo  equivocal,  that  it  is  no  eafy  matter 
to  diftinguifh  the  fpecies,  particularly  as  we  have  little  elfe 
but  the  fpots  and  the  fize  to  guide  us  in  making  the  diftinc- 
tion.  If  we  regard  the  figure  and  diverfity  of  the  fpots,  we  fhall 
find  many  varieties  not  taken  notice  of  by  any  naturalift ;  if 
we  are  led  by  the  fize,  we  (hall  find  an  imperceptible  grada- 
tion from  the  cat  to  the  tiger.  It  would  be  vain,  therefore,  to 
make  as  many  varieties  in  thefe  animals  as  we  fee  differences 
In  fpots  or  ftature  ;  it  will  be  fufiicient  to  feize  the  mod  ge- 
neral diftin&ions,  and  leave  the  reft  to  fuch  as  are  fond  of 
more  minute  difquifitions. 

Of  all  this  tribe,  whofe  fkins  are  fo  beautifully  fpotted,  and 
whofe  natures  are  fo  mifchievous,  the  panther  may  be  con- 
iidered  as  the  foremoft.  This  animal  has  been  by  many  natu- 
ralifts  miftaken  for  the  tiger ;  and,  in  fact,  it  approaches  next 
to  it  in  fize,  fiercenefs  and  beauty.  It  is  diftinguifhed,  ho\v- 
ever,  by  one  obvious  and  leading  chsta&er  ;  that  of  being 
fpotted,  not  ftreaked  ;  for,  in  this  particular,  the  tiger  differs 
from  the  panther,  the  leopard,  and  almoft  all  the  inferior  ranks 
of  this  mifchievous  family. 

This  animal,  which  mr.  BufFon  calls  fimply  the  panther 
Linnaeus  the  pard,  Gefner  the  pardalis,  and  the  modern  La- 
tins the  leopardus  ;  this  animal,  I  fay,  which  goes  by  too  ma- 
ny names,  and  which  the  Englifh  have  indifcrimmately  called 
by  the  name  of  the  panther  or  the  leopard,  may  be  confidered 
as  the  largeft  of  the  kind,  and  is  fpotted  in  a  manner  fomewhat 
different  from  thofe  that  are  fmaller.  As  thofe  fpots,  however 

VOL.  II.  T 


ANIMALS    OF  THE 

make  the  principal  difference  between  it  and  the  lefler  animals, 
which  it  otherwife  refembles  in  {hape,  fize,  difpofition,  and 
beauty,  I  will  firft  fhow  thofe  flight  diflinctions,  and  mention 
the  names  each  animal  has  received  in  confequence  thereof  ; 
and  then  proceed  to  give  their  hiftory  togethe'r,  ft  ill  marking 
any  peculiarity  obfervable  in  one  of  the  ipecies,  which  is  not 
found  in  the  reft. 

Next  to  the  great  panther,  already  mentioned,  is  the  ani- 
mal which  mr.  Buffon  calls  the  leopard,  a  name  which  lie 
acknowledges  to*  be  given  arbitrarily,  for  the  fake  of  diftinc- 
tion.  Other  naturalifts  have  not  much  attended  to  the  flight 
differences  between  this  and  the  great  panther,  nor  have  they 
ronfidered  its  difcriminations  as  fufliciertt  to  entitle  it  to  ano- 
ther name.  It  has  hitherto,  therefore,  gone  under  the  name 
of  the  leopard,  or  panther  of  Senegal,  where  it  is  chiefly 
found.  The  differences  between  this  animal  and  the  former 
are  thefe  :  the  large  panther  is  often  found  to  be  fix  feet  long, 
from  the  tip  of  the  nofe  to  the  infertion  of  the  tail ;  the  pan- 
ther of  Senegal  is  not  above  four.  The  large  panther  is 
marked  with  fpots  in  the  manner  of  a  rofe,  that  is,  five  or 
fix  make  a  kind  of  circle,  and  there  is  generally  a  large  one 
in  the  middle.  The  leopard  of  Senegal  has  a  much  more 
beautiful  coat,  the  yellow  is  more  brilliant,  and  the  fpots  are 
{mailer,  and  not  difpofed  in  rings  but  in  clufters.  As  to  the 
reft,  they  are  both  whitifh  under  the  belly  ;  the  tail  in  both 
is  pretty  long,  but  rather  longer  in  proportion  in  the  latter, 
than  the  former.  To  thefe  two  animals,  whofe  differences 
Jeem  to  be  fo  very  minute,  we  may  add  a  third ;  namely,  the 
jaguar  or  panther  of  America.  This,  in  every  refpeft,  refem- 
bles  the  two  former,  except  in  the  difpofition  of  its  fpots,  and 
that  its  neck  and  head  are  rather  ftrcaked  than  fpotted.  The 
jaguar  is  alfo  faid  to  be  lower  on  its  legs,  and  lefs  than  the 
leopard  of  Senegal.  Thefe  three  quadrupeds  as  we  fee,  have 
but  very  flight  differences,  and  the  principal  diftin&ion  ufed 
by  mr.  Buffbn,  is  taken  from  the  fize  ;  the  firft,  as  he  fays,  is 
ufually  fix  feet  long  ;  the  fecond,  four  feet  ;  and  the  laft, 
about  three  :  however,  it  appears  from  the  particular  fubjecta 


CAT   KIND.  147 

of  his  defcriptKHi,  that  the  panther  in  his  pofTeiTion  was  net 
above  three  feet  feven  inches  long  ;  that  the  leopard's  ikin^ 
which  he  defcribes,  was  about  four  ;  and  that  the  jaguar,  at? 
two  years  old,  was  between  two-  and  three  feet  long,  which, 
when  come  to-  its  full  growth,  would,  no  doubt,  be  four  feet 
long,  as  well  as  the  two  former.  From  hence,  therefore,  we 
may  conclude,  that  the  fize  in  thefe  animals  is  not  fuf- 
ficient  to  make  a  diftinclion  among  them  ;  and  that  thofe 
who  called  them  all  three  by  the  indifcriminate  names  of 
the  leopard  and  the  panther,  if  not  right,  were,  at  leaffc  ex- 
cufable.  Of  thofe  which  are  now  to  be  feen  in  the  Toweiy 
the  jaguar,  or  the  American  panther,  is  rather  the  largefl  of 
the  three  j  and  is  by  no  means  the  contemptible  animal  which, 
mr.  BufFon  defcribes  it  to  be  :  the  leopard  is  the  lead  of  them, 
and  has,  by  fome  travellers,  been  fuppofed  to  be  an  animal, 
produced  between  the  panther  and  the,  ounce,  an  animaL 
which  refembles,  but  is  lefs  than  any  of  the  former.  Thefe. 
three  animals  we  may,  therefore,  rank  together,  as  they  agree 
pretty  nearly  in  their  robe,  their  fize,  their  difpofitions  and 
their  ferocity, 

We  come  next  to  an  animal  confeiredly  different  from  any 
of  the  former,  being  much  fmaller,  and  its  colour  more  inclin- 
ing to  white.  Its  name,  however,  in  our  language,  has  cauied 
no  fmall  confufion.  It  has  been  generally  called,  by  foreigners,* 
the  onza,  or  the  ounce,  and  this  name,  fcuaie  of  our  own  writers, 
have  thought  proper  to  give  it ;  but  others  of  them,  and  thefe 
the  moft  celebrated,  fuch  as  Wiiloughby,  have  given  .this  name, 
to  a  different,  animal,  with  a  mori  tail,  and  l^nown  to  .the  An- 
cients and  .moderns  by  the  name  of  the  lynx.  I  confefs  myfelf. 
at  a  lofs,  in  this  cafe,  whom  to  follow;  the  alteration  of  names 
fhould  be  always  made  with  great  caution,  and  never  but  in 
cafes  of  neceflity.  If  we  follow  Willoughby,  there  will  be  an 
animal  of  the  panther,  kind,  very  diftingu-ifliable  from  all  the 
reft,  left  without  a  name;  and  if  we  recede  from  it,  it  will  fer.ye.to 
produce  fome  confufion  among  all  the  numerous  clafs  of  readers 
and  writers  who  have  taken  him  for  their  guide  :  however,  as. 
he  feems  himfelf  to  have  been  an  innovator,  the,  name  of  the 


148  ANIMALS  OF  THE 

lynx  having  been  long  adopted  into  our  language  before,  k  ws* 
unneceflary  to  give  the  animal  that  bore  it,  another  name,  and 
to  call  that  creature  an  ounce,  which  our  old  writers  had  been 
accuftomed  to  know  by  the  Latin  appellation ^  for  this  reafon^ 
therefore,  we  may  fafely  venture  to  take  a  name  that  has  been; 
long  mifapplied,  from  the  lynx,  and  reftore  it  to  the  animal  in 
queftion.  We  will,  therefore,  call  that  animal  of  the  panther 
kind,  which  is  lefs  than  the  panther,  and  with  a  longer  tail,  the 
ounce  ;  and  the  lynx  may  remain  in  pofleflion  of  that  name  by 
which  it  was  known  among  all  our  old  Engliih  writers,  as  well 
as  by  all  antiquity. 

The  ounce,  or  the  onca,  of  Linnaeus,  is  much  lefs  than  the 
panther,  being  not,  at  moft,  above  three  feet  and  a  half  long  ; 
however,  its  hair  is  much  longer  than  that  of  the  panther,  and 
its  tail  ftiil  more  fo.  The  panther  of  four  or  five  feet  long,  has 
a  tail  but  of  two  feet,  or  two  feet  and  a  half.  The  ounce,  which 
is  but  about  three  feet,  has  a  tail  often  longer  that  the  reft  of 
its  body.  The  colour  of  the  ounce  is  alfo  apparently  different* 
being  rather  more  inclining  to  a  cream  colour,  which  is  deeper 
on  the  back,  and  whiter  towards  the  belly.  The  hair  on  the 
back  is  an  inch  and  a  half  long  ;  that  on  the  belly,  two  inches 
and  a  half,  which  is  much  longer  than  that  of  the  panther.  Its 
fpots  are  difpofed  pretty  much  in  the  fame  manner  as  the  large 
panther,  except  that  on  the  haunches  it  is  rather  marked  with 
ftripes  than  with  fpots. 

Defcending  to  animals  of  this  kind  that  are  ft  ill  fmaller,  we 
find  that  the  catamountain,  which  is  the  ocelot  of  mr.  Buffon,, 
or  the  tiger  cat  erf  moft  of  thofe  who  exhibit  as  a  mow.  It  is 
lefs  than  the  ounce,  but  its  robe  more  beautifully  variegated* 
It  is  an  American  animal,  and  is  about  two  feet  and  a  half  in 
legth,  from  the  nofe  to  the  infertion  of  the  tail.  It  is  extremely 
like  a  cat,  except  that  it  is  larger  and  ilenderer,  that  its  colours  are 
more  beautiful,  and  its  tail  rather  fhorter.  The  fur  is  of  a  red- 
dim  colour,  the  whole  beautified  with  black  fpots,  and  ftreaks 
of  different  figures.  They  are  long'on  the  back,  and  round  on 
the  belly  and  paws.  On  the  ears  are  black  ftripes,  which  run 
acrofs,  but,  in  other  refpe&s,  they  entirely  referable  thofe  of 


CAT  KIND.  149 

a  cat.  Thefe  colours,  ho-.vever,  which  naturalifts  have  taken 
great  pains  minutely  to  defcribe,  are  by  no  means  permanent, 
being  differently  difpofedin  different  animals  of  the  fame  fpe- 
cies.  I  remember  to  have  feen  an  animal  of  this  fize,  but  whe- 
ther of  this  fpecies  I  will  not  pretend  to  fay,  fome  years  ago, 
that  was  entirely  brown,  and  was  faid  alfo  to  have  come  from 
America. 

From  this  tribe  of  the  cat  kind  with  fpotted  ficins  and  a  long 
tail,  we  come  to  another,  with  (kins  diverfified  in  like  manner, 
but  with  a  fhorter  tail.  The  principal  of  thefe  is  the  lynx,  the 
name  by  which  the  animal  was  known  to  ^Eiien,  among  the 
ancients  ;  and  to  all  our  old  Englifh  writers,  among  thofe  of  a 
more  modern  date.  This  name  has  been  corrupted  by  the  Por- 
tuguefe,  into  the  word  ouze ;  and  this  corruption  has  been 
adopted  by  Ray,  who  has  improperly  called  this  animal  the 
ounce,  after  fome  of  the  foreign  travellers.  The  firft  finking 
diftintHon  between  the  lynx,  and  all  thofe  of  the  panther  kind, 
is  in  its  tail,  which  is  at  leaft  half  as  Ihort  in  proportion,  and 
black  at  the  extremity.  Its  fur  is  much  longer,  the  fpots  on  the 
{kin  lefs  vivid,  and  but  confufedly  mingled  with  the  reft.  Its 
ears  are  much  longer,  and  tipped  at  the  points  with  a  black 
tuft  of  hair.  The  colour  round  the  eyes  is  white,  and  the  phy- 
fiognomy  more  placid  and  gentle.  Each  hair  of  this  animal  is 
of  three  different  colours  :  the  root  is  of  a  greyifh  brown  ;  the 
middle  red,  or  of  an  afh  colour;  and  the  ends  white.  This 
whitenefs  at  the  ends  takes  up  fo  fmall  a  part  of  the  particular 
hair,  that  it  does  not  prevent  us  from  feeing  the  principal  co- 
lour, which  is  that  of  the  middle  part ;  fo  that  it  only  makes 
the  furface  of  the  body  appear  as  if  it  were  filvered  over :  how- 
ever, the  hair  of  which  the  fpots  confift,  has  no  white  at  the 
ends,  and  at  the  roots  it  is  not  quite  fo  black-  as  the  other  part. 
This  animal  is  not  above  the  fize  of  the  ounce,  but  is  ra 
ftronger  built,  and  it  has  but  twenty-eight  teeth  ;  whereas  all 
the  reft  of  the  cat  kind,  already  mentioned,  have  thirty. 

Another  animal  of  this  kind  is  called  the  Jiagujh,  or,  as  mr. 
Buffon  names  it,  the  caracel.  It  is  a  native  of  the  Eaft-Indies, 
and  refembles  the  lynx  in  fize,  in  form,  and  even  in  the  fingu- 


ANIMALS  OF  THE 

larity  of  being  tufted  at- the  tips  of  the  ears.  However^  the  -fia- 
gufh  differs  in  not  being  mottled  as  the  lynx  is;  its  fur,  or  ra~ 
ther  hair,  is  rougher  and  Ihorter  •,  its  tail  is  rather  longer  ;  its 
muzzle  more  lengthened  ;  its  phyilognomy  more  fierce^  and  iu 
nature  more  favage. 

The  third,  and  laft  animal  that  need  be  mentioned  of  this 
kind,  is  that  which  mr.  Buffon  calls  the  Serval,  and  which  he 
has  firft  defcribed.  It  is  a  native  of  Malabar,  refembiing  the 
panther  in  its  fpots,  but  the  lynx  in  the  fhortnefs  of  its  tail,  in 
its  fize,  and  in  its  flrong-built  form. 

Thefe  feem  to  be  all  the  principal  diftinftibns  among  animals 
of  the  panther  kind,  from  the  hrgeft  of  this  tribe  down  to  the 
domeflic  cat,  which  is  the  fmalleft  of  all  thefe  fierce  and  mif- 
chievous  varieties.  In  all,  their  nature  feems  pretty  much  the 
fame  5  being  equally  fierce,  fubtle,  cruel,  and  cowardly.  The 
panther,  including  the  leopard  and  the  jaguar,  or  American 
panther,  as  they  are  the  largeft,  fo  alfo  are  they  the  mod  dan- 
gerous of  this  kind  ;  for  the  whole  race  of  cats  are  noxious  in 
proportion  to  their  power  to  do  mifchief.  They  inhabit  the 
moil  torrid  latitudes  of  India,  Africa,  and  America,  and  have 
never  been  able  to  multiply  beyond  the  torrid  zone.  They  are 
generally  found  in  the  thickeft  and  the  mod  entangled  forefts, 
and  often  near  remote  habitations,  where  they  watch  to  fur- 
prize  all  kinds  of  domeflic  animals.  They  very  feldom  attacfe 
man,  even  though  provoked  by  him  ;  they  feem  rather  defirous 
of  finding  fafety  by  flight,  or  by  climbing  trees,  at  which  they 
arc  very  expert.  In  this  manner,  alfo,  they  often  purfue  their 
prey,  and,  being  expert  at  fefzing  it,  as  well  above  as  below, 
they  caufe  a  vafl  deflruclion.  Of  all  other  animals,  thefe  are 
the  mofl  fullen,  and,  even  to  a  proverb,  untameable.  They  ftill 
preferve  their  fierce  and  treacherous  fpirit ;  and  at  thofe  places 
where  they  are  expofed  to  be  feen  among  others,  we  often  ob- 
ferve  that  while  their  keeper  is  familiar  with  the  lion  or  the 
bear,  yet  he  is  apprehenfive  of  the  large  panther,  and  keeps  it 
fecund  with  the  fhorteft  chain. 

As  the  ounce  differs  from  thefe  in  figure  and  fize,  fo  alfo  k 


CAT  KIND.  «s* 

feerns  to  differ  in  difpofition,  being  more  mild,  tra&able  and 
fame.  Thefe  we  frequently  fee  as  harmlefs  and  innocent  as  cats-, 
and  there  is  one  at  prefent  in  the  to\ver  with  which  the  keeper 
plays  without  the  f  malleft-apprehenfion.  I  own  I  was  not  a  little 
uneafy,  at  firft,  for  the  man,  when  he  put  his  hand  through  the 
bars,  and  called  the  animal  by  its  name ;  but  was  a  good  deal 
furprized  to  fee  the  creature,  which  one  might  fuppofe  irritated 
by  long  confinement,  come  gently  up  to  him,  ftroke  his  hand 
with  its  face,  in  the  manner  of  a  cat,  and  teftify  the  utmoft 
gentlenefs  of  difpofition.  The  ounce,  therefore,  is  remarkable 
for  being  eafily  tamed;  and,  in  fact,  it  is  employed  all  over  the 
eafl  for  the  purpofes  of  hunting.  Not,  indeed,  but  that  pan- 
thers fchemfelves  are  fometimes  ufedfor  this  purpofe,  but  they 
are  never  thoroughly  fubdued  like  the  former,  being  ufually 
brought  to  the  field  in  a  carriage,  and  kept  chained  and  caged 
until  they  are  mown  the  gazelle,  or  the  leveret,  which  is  their 
prey.  This  they  purfue  rather  by  three  or  four  great  fprings 
than  by  running.  If  they  feize  it  by  this  fudden  effort,  it  finds 
no  mercy;  but  if  it  efcapes  from  their  firft  effort,  they  never 
attempt  to  purfue,  and  appear  quite  difappointed  and  con- 
founded at  their  mifchance.  It  fometimes  happens  that  they 
•are  fo  much  enraged  at  it,  that  they  attack  even  their  employ- 
er, and  his  only  refource  to  avoid  their  fury,  is  to  throw  them 
fome  fmall  pieces  of  meat,  which  he  has  brought  with  him  for 
that  purpofe. 

The  ounce,  however,  is  not  fo  dangerous  ;  and  is  treated 
with  more  confidence  and  familarity.  It  is  ufually  brought  to 
the  field  hood-winked  behind  one  of  the  horfemen.  When  the 
game  appears,  the  ounce  is  inftantly  uncovered,  and  mown 
where  it  lies  ;  upon  which  the  fierce  creature  darts  like  an  ar- 
row to  the  place,  and  feizes  it  at  once,  or,  miffing  it,  remains 
motionlefs  in  the  place.  It  would  be  vain  to  attempt  retrieving 
its  difgrace  by  continuing  the  purfuit ;  for,  although  it  bounds 
with  greater  agility  than  moil  other  animals,  yet  it  is  flow  and 
aukward  in  running,  and  has  no  means  of  finding  the  animal 
it  purfues  by  the  fmell,  as  is  common  among  thofe  of  the  dog 
kind.  Froan  hence,  therefore,  it  appears,  how  much  fuperior 


152  ANIMALS  OF  THE 

the  European  method  of  hunting  is  to  that  of  the  Afiatic;  fmce 
whatever  amufement  this  exercife  affords,  mull  arife  from 
the  continuance  of  the  chace,  and  from  the  fluctuation  of 
doubt  and  expectation,  which  raife  and  deprefs  the  purfuers  by 
turns.  All  this  an  Afiatic  hunter  is  deprived  of  j  and  his  great- 
eft  pleafure  can  fcarcely  be  more. than  what  among  us  is  cal- 
led courfing,  in  which  the  dog  purfues  the  animal,  and  keeps 
it  conftantly  in  view. 

But  it  mud  not  be  fuppofed  that  it  is  from  choice  the  An*- 
atics  ufe  this  method  of  chace ;  for,  no  doubt,  were  dogs  fer- 
viceable  among  them  as  they  are  in  Europe,  they  would  be 
employed  for  the  fame  purpofes.  But  the  fact  is,  that  the  ex- 
treme heat  of  the  tropical  climates,  produces  fuch  univerfal  pu- 
trefaction, and  fends  up  fuch  various  and  powerful  fcents, 
that  dogs  are  at  firft  bewildered  in  the  chace,  and  at  laft  come 
to  lofe  the  delicacy  of  their  fcent  entirely.  They  are,  there- 
fore, but  little  ufed  in  thofe  warm  countries ;  and  what  could 
they  avail  in  places  where  almoft  every  other  animal  of  the 
foreft  is  ftronger  and  more  rapacious?  The  lion,  the  tiger,  the 
panther,  and  the  ounce,  are  all  natural  enemies  to  the  dog,  and 
attack  him,  wherever  he  appears,  with  ungovernable  fury.  The 
breed,  therefore,  in  thofe  places,  would  quickly  be  deftroyed  ; 
fo  that  they  are  obliged  to  have  recourfe  to  thofe  animals  which 
are  more  fitted  to  ferve  them ;  and  thus  convert  the  ounce  to 
thofe  purpofes  for  which  dogs  are  employed  in  Europe. 

The  catamountain,  or  ocelot,  is  one  of  the  fierceft,  and,  for 
its  fize,  one  of  the  moft  deftructive  animals  in  the  world.  It 
is,  as  was  before  obferved,  a  native  of  South-America,  and  by 
no  means  capable  of  the  fame  education  as  the  ounce,  which  it 
more  approaches  in  fize  than  in  difpofition.  Two  of  thefe, 
from  whom  mr.  Buffon  has  taken  his  defcription,  were  brought 
over  from  Carthagena,  and  having  been  taken  from  the  dam 
when  very  young,  were  afterwards  iuckied  by  a  bitch.  But, 
before  they  were  three  months  old,  they  had  ftrertgth  and  in- 
gratitude fufficient  to  kill  and  devour  their  nurfe.  Their  fuc- 
ceeding  fiercenefs  and  malignity  feemed  to  correfpond  with 


CAT  KIND.  153 

iheir  firfl  efforts;  for  no  arts  could  tame  or  foften  their  natures; 
and  whil£  they  continued  in,  their  cages,  they  ftill  teftified  an 
unceafmg  dlipofition  for  daughter.  When  their  food  was  giv- 
en them,  the  male  always  fcrved  himfelf  before  the  female 
venrured  to  touch  a  bit  ;  and  it  was  not  till  he  was  fatisfied 
that  the  other  began.  In  their  favage  (late,  thefe  animals  are 
ilill  more  deftructive  ;  having  great  ftrength  and  agility,  they 
very  eafily  find  and  overtake  their  prey,  which  they  purfuc 
among  the  tops  of  the  trees  as  well  as  on  the  ground  ;  but  \vhat 
renders  them  ftill  more  mifchievous  is,  their  unceafmg  ap- 
petite rather  for  the  blood  than  the  flefh  of  their  prey.  They 
fuck  this  with  the  greateft  avidity,  but  frequently  leave  the 
carcafe  otherwife  untouched,  in  order  to  purfue  other  animals 
for  the  blood  in  like  manner.  They  generally  continue  on  the 
tops  of  trees,  like  our  wild  cats  ;  where  they  make  their  neft, 
and  often  bring  forth  their  young.  When  they  fpy  any  animal 
they  can  mailer,  and  there  are  but  few  in  the  foreft  but  what 
are  inferior,  they  dart  down  upon  it  with  inevitable  exa&nefs. 

The  whole  tribe  of  animals  of  the  panther  kind,  with  long 
tails,  are  chiefly  inhabitants,  as  was  faid,  of  the  torrid  zone  j 
but  thofe  of  the  (hort  tailed  kind,  and  particularly  the  lynx, 
is  principally  found  in  the  cold  countries  that  are  bordering  on 
the  pole.  The  lynx  is  chiefly  to  be  met  with  in  the  north  of 
Germany,  Lithuania,  Mufcovy,  Siberia,  and  North-America. 
Thofe  of  the  new  continent,  however,  are  rather  fmaller  than 
in  Europe,  as  is  the  cafe  with  almoft  all  their  quadrupeds  ; 
they  are  fomewhat  whiter  alfo,  but  in  other  refpe&s,  there  is 
fcarce  any  difference  to  be  found  among  them*.  This  animal 
has  been  called  by  fome  lupus  cervarius,  or  a  creature  corn- 
pounded  between  a  wolf  and  a  ftag  ;  but  for  what  reafon  is 
hard  to  guefs  ;  it  no  way  refembles  either  in  fliape  or  in  difpo- 
fition.  In  its  nature,  it  exactly  refembles  the  cat,  except  that, 
being  bigger  and  nearly  two  feet  long,  it  is  bolder  and  fiercer. 
Like  the  cat,  it  climbs  trees,  and  feeks  its  prey  by  iurprize  ; 
like  the  cat  it  is  delicate  and  cleanly,  covering  its  urine  with 


VOL.  II. 


154  ANIMALS  OF  THE 

its  paws;  and  it  refembies  the  wolf  in  nothing  except  its-  crj? 
which  often  deceives  the  hunters,  and  induces  them  to  think 
they  hear  a  wolf,  and  not  a  lynx.  This  animal  alfo,  is  rather 
more  delicate  than  the  car ;  and,  after  having  once  feafted  up- 
on its  prey,  will  never  return  to  it  again,  but  hunts  the  woods 
for  another.  From  hence  may  have  arifen  the  common  report 
of  the  lynx  having,  of  all  other  quadrupeds,  the  fhorteft  memo- 
ry. This,  however,  is  not  the  only  idle  ftory  that  has  been  pro- 
pogated  of  it :  as  of  its  feeing  with  fuch  perfpicuity  as  to  per- 
ceive objects  through  walls  and  mountains;  as  of  having  its 
urine  of  fuch  a  quality,  as  to  harden,  and  become  a  precious 
ftone ;  with  feveral  others,  propagated  by  ignorance  or  im- 
pofture. 

The  fiagufli  and  the  ferval  are  both  fo  like  all  the  reft  of  the 
cat  kind  in  difpofition,  that  it  is  but  repeating  the  fame  account 
once  more  to  give  their  diftmcl  hiftory.  As  the  lynx  is  found 
only  in  cold  countries,  fo  the  fiagufli  is  to  be  met  with  only  in 
the  warm  tropical  climates.  It  is  ufed,  in  the  fame  manner  as 
the  ounce,  for  hunting  ;  but  it  feems  to  have  a  property  \\hich 
the  other  has  not ;  namely,  that  of  being  able  to  overtake  its 
prey  by  purfuing  it.  Whether  this  is  performed  by  having  a 
finer  fcent  than  the  former,  or  greater  fwiftnefs,  we  are  not  in- 
formed ;  being  only  told  that  when  it  overtakes  either  the  ga- 
zelle or  the  antelope,  it  leaps  upon  their  backs,  and,  getting 
forward  to  their  fhoulders,  fcratches  their  eyes  out,  by  which 
means  they  become  an  eafy  prey  to  the  hunters.  Some  have 
called  this  animal  the  lion's  provider  ;  and  it  is  faid,  that  when 
it  calls  him  to  purfue  his  prey,  its  voice  very  much  refembies 
that  of  one  man  calling  another  *.  From  hence  we  may  con- 
jefture  that  this  animal  purfues  its  prey  in  full  cry,  and  that 
the  lion  only  follows  to  partake  or  feize  the  fpoil.  The  fame 
account  is  given  alfo  of  the  jackal  ;  and  very  probably  it  may 
be  true,  not  only  of  thefe  animals,  but  of  fome  others,  fmce  it 
is  natural  enough  to  fuppofe  that  the  lion  will  purfue  when- 
ever he  is  taught  to  difcover  his  prey* 

We  had  one  of  thefe  animals  a  few  years  ago  fent  over  from 
%  Tlievcnot,  vol.  ii.  p,  114. 


CAT  KIND.  155 

the  Eaft-Indies,  but  it  was  not  able  to  endure  the  change  of 
climate,  and  it  died  in  a  very  {hort  time  after  it  was  brought 
to  the  Tower.  Whether  confumed  by  difeafe  or  not,  I  cannot 
tell,  but  it  feemed  to  me  much  flenderer  than  the  cat  or  the 
lynx,  and  its  ears  were  much  longer ;  however,  it  is  a  very 
ftrong  creatue  for  its  fize,  and  has  been  known  to  kill  a  dog 
in  fmgle  combat  *  :  neverthelefs,  it  is  like  all  of  the  cat  kind 
except  the  lion,  remarkable  for  its  cowardice,  and  will  never, 
except  in  cafes  of  neceffity,  attack  an  animal  that  is  its  equal  in 
ftrength  or  activity.  For  this  reafon,  when  brought  into  the 
field,  and  put  upon  a  fervice  of  danger,  it  obftinately  refufes, 
and  is  alert  only  in  the  purfuit  of  animals  that  are  too  feeble 
for  refiftance,  or  too  timid  to  exert  their  ftrength. 

From  what  has  been  faid  of  this  rapacious  tribe,  we  perceive 
a  fimilitude  in  the  manners  and  difpofitions  of  them  all,  from 
the  lion  to  the  cat.  The  fimilitude  of  their  internal  conforma- 
tion is  ftill  more  exacl: ;  the  fhortnefs  of  their  inteitines,  the 
number  of  their  teeth,  and  the  ftrudliure  of  their  paws.  The 
firft  of  this  clafs  is  the  lion,  diftinguifhable  from  ail  the  reft  by 
his  ftrength,  his  magnitude,  and  his  mane.  The  fecond  is  the 
tiger,  rather  longer  than  the  lion,  but  not  fo  tall,  and  known 
by  the  ftreaks  and  the  vivid  beauty  of  its  robe  :  including  alfo 
the  American  tiger  or  cougar  ;  diftinguifhable  by  its  fize,  next 
that  of  the  tiger,  its  tawny  colour,  and  its  fpots.  The  third  is 
the  panther  and  the  leopard.  The  fourth  is  the  ounce,  not, 
fo  large  as  any  of  the  former,  fpotted  like  them,  but  diftin- 
guifhable by  the  cream-coloured  ground  of  its  hair,  and  the 
great  length  of  its  tail,  being  above  the  length  of  its  body.  The 
fifth  is  the  catamountain  or  tiger-cat,  lefs  than  the  ounce,  but 
differing  particularly  in  having  a  ihorter  tail,  and  being  ftreak- 
ed  down  the  back  like  a  tiger.  The  fixth  is  the  fhort-tailed 
kind  ;  namely,  the  lynx,  of  the  fize  of  the  former,  but  with  a 
{hort  tail,  ftreaked,  and  the  tips  of  its  ears  tufted  with  black. 
The  feventh  is  the  fiagufh,  differing  from  the  lynx  in  not  be- 
ing mottled  like  it,  in  not  being  fo  large,  and  in  having  the. 
ears  longer,  though  tipped  with  black,  as  before.  The  elith 


156  ANIMALS  OF  THE 

e  ferval,  refcmbling  the  lynx  in  its  form,  and  the  !• 
of  its  tail;  ftreaked  alfo  like  it,  but  not  having  the  tips  ol:  its 
ears  tufted.  Lnftly,  the  cat,  wild  end  tame,  with  all  its  varie- 
ties :   all  lefs  than  any  of  the  former.,  bat,  like  them,  equally 
inficlious,  rapacious,  and  cruel. 

This  whole  race  may  be  confidered  as  the  moil  formidable 
enemy  of  mankind  ;  there  are  others,  indeed,  ftronger,  but  they 
are  gentle,  and  never  offer  injury  till  injured  :  there  are  others 
more  numerous,  but  they  are  more  feeble,  and  rather  look  for 
fafety  by  hiding  from  man,  than  oppofmg  him.  Thcfe  are  the 
only  quadrupeds  that  make  good  their  ground  againll  him ; 
and  which  may  be  faid  to  keep  fome  kingdoms  of  the  earth  in 
their  own  poiTeflion.  How  many  extenfive  countries  are  there 
in  Africa,  where  the  wild  beafts  are  fo  numerous,  that  man  is 
.deterred  from  living  amongft  them  ;  reluctantly  giving  up  to 
the  lion  and  the  leopard,  extenfive  tratls,  that  feem  formed 
only  for  his  delight  and  convenience  ! 


C  H  A  P.     VIII. 

Animals  of  the  Dog  Kind. 

THE  fecond  clafs  of  carnivorus  quadrupeds  may  be  de- 
nominated thofe  of  the  dog  kind.  This  clafs  is  neither  fo 
numerous  nor  fo  powerful  as  the  former,  and  yet  neither  fo 
treacherous,  rapacious,  or  cowardly.  This  clafs  may  be  prin- 
cipally diftinguifhed  by  their  claws,  which  have  no  {heath,  like 
thofe  of  the  cat  kind,  but  ftill  continue  at  the  point  of  each  toe, 
without  a  capability  of  being  ftretched  forward,  or  drawn  back. 
The  nofc  alfo,  as  well  as  the  jaw,  of  all  the  dog  kind,  is  longer 
than  in  the  cat  •,  the  body  is  in  proportion,  more  ilrongly  made, 
and  covered  with  hair  inflead  of  fur.  There  are  many  inter- 
nal diftin&ions  alfo  j  as  in  the  inteftines,  which  are  much  lon- 
ger in  the  dog  kind,  than  in  thofe  of  the  cat ;  the  eye  is  not 
formed  for  night  vifion  ;  and  the  olfa£lory  nerves  are  difFufed, 


DOG  KIND.  157 

in  the  dog  kinds,  upon  ~  very  exteufwe  membrane  within  the 
fcull. 

If  we  compare  the  natural  habitudes  of  this  ckfs  \vith  the 
forme r,  we  (hall  find  that  the  clog  kinds  arc  not  fo  folitary  as 
thofe  of  the  cat,  but  love  to  hunt  in  company,  and  encour 
each  other  with  their  mutual  cries.  In  this  manner  die  dog  and 
the  jackal  purfue  their  prey  ;  and  the  woif  and  fox,  which  are 
of  this  kind,  though  more  folitary  and  filent  among  us,  yet,  in 
countries  where  iefs  perfecuted,  and  where  they  can  more 
fearlefs  difplay  their  natural  inclinations,  they  are  found  to 
keep  together  in  packs,  and  puvkie  their  game  with  alternate 
bowlings. 

Animals  of  the  dog  kind  want  fome  of  the  advantages  of  the 
cat  kind,  and  yet  are  povTerTed  of  others  in  which  the  latter  are 
deficient.  Upon  obferving  their  claws,  it  will  eafily  be  perceiv- 
ed that  they  cannot,  like  cats,  purfue  their  prey  up  the  fides 
of  a  tree,  and  continue  the  chace  among  the  branches  ;  their 
unmanageable  claws  cannot  ftick  in  the  bark,  and  thus  fupport 
the  body  up  along  the  trunk,  as  we  fee  the  cat  very  eaiily  per- 
form :  whenever,  therefore,  their  prey  flies  up  the  tree  from 
them,  they  can  only  follow  it  with  their  eyes,  or  watch  its  mo- 
tions till  hunger  again  brings  it  to  the  ground.  For  this  reafon, 
the  proper  prey  of  the  dog  kind,  are  only  thofe  animals  that, 
like  themfelves,  and  unfitted  for  climbing  ;  the  hare,  the  rabbit, 
the  gazelle,  or  die  roebuck. 

As  they  are,  in  this  refpecl,  inferior  to  the  cat,  fo  they  ex- 
ceed it  in  the  fenfe  of  fmelling ;  by  which  alone  they  purfue 
their  prey  with  certainty  of  fuccefs,  wind  it  through  all  its 
mazes,  and  tire  it  down  by  perfeverance.  It  often  happens, 
however,  in  the  favage  (late,  for  their  prey  is  either  too  much 
diminimed,  or  too  wary  to  ferve  for  a  fufficient  fupply.  In  this 
cafe,  when  driven  to  an  extremity,  all  the  dog  kinds  can  live, 
for  fome  time,  upon  fruits  and  vegetables,  which,  if  they  do 
not  pleafe  the  appetite,  at  lead  ferve  to  appeafe  their  hunger. 

Of  all  this  tribe,  the  dog  has  every  reafon  to  claim  the  pre- 
ference, being  die  moil  intelligent  of  all  known  quadrupeds, 


J5S  ANIMALS  OF  THE 

and  the  acknowleged  friend  of  mankind.  The  dog*,  independent 
of  the  beauty  of  his  form,  his  vivacity,  force  and  fwiftnefs,  is 
poffeffed  of  allthofe  internal  qualifications thatcan  conciliate  the 
affe&ions  of  man,  and  make  the  tyrant  a  protector.  A  natural 
ihare  of  courage,  an  angry  and  ferocious  difpofition,  renders 
the  dog,  in  its  favage  ftate,  a  formidable  enemy  to  all  other 
animals  :  but  thefe  readily  give  way  to  very  different  qualities 
In  the  domeftic  dog,  \vhofe  only  ambition  feems  the  defire  to 
pleafe  ;  he  is  feen  to  come  crouching  along  to  lay  his  force, 
his  courage,  and  all  his  ufeful  talents,  at  the  feet  of  his  mafter; 
he  waits  his  orders,  to  which  he  pays  implicit  obedience ;  he 
confults  his  looks,  and  a  fmgle  glance  is  fufficient  to  put  him 
in  motion  ;  he  is  more  faithful  even  than  the  moft  boafted 
among  men ;  he  is  conftant  in  his  affections,  friendly  without 
intereft,  and  grateful  for  the  flighteft  favours  ;  much  more 
mindful  of  benefits  received,  than  injuries  offered  ;  he  is  not 
driven  off  by  unkindnefs  ;  he  flill  continues  humble,  fubmiffive 
and  imploring  -?  his  only  hope  to  be  ferviceable,  his  only  terror 
to  difpleafe  ;  he  licks  the  hand  that  has  been  juft  lifted  to  ftrike 
him,  and  atlaft  difarms  refentment  by  fubmiffive  perfeverance. 

More  docile  than  man,  more  obedient  than  any  other  ani- 
mal, he  is  not  only  inftru&ed  in  a  fhort  time,  but  he  alfo  con- 
forms to  the  difpofitions  and  the  manners  of  thofe  who  com- 
mand him.  He  takes  his  tone  from  the  houfe  he  inhabits ; 
like  the  reft  of  the  domeftics,  he  is  difdainful  among  the  great, 
and  churlim  among  clowns.  Always  affiduous  in  ferving  his 
mafter,  and  only  a  friend  to  his  friends,  he  is  indifferent  to  all 
the  reft>  and  declares  himfelf  openly  againft  fuch  as  feem  to  be 
dependant  like  himfelf.  He  knows  a  beggar  by  his  clothes, 
by  his  voice,  or  geftures,  and  forbids  his  approach.  When  at 
night  the  guard  of  the  houfe  is  committed  to  his  care,  he  feems 
proud  of  the  charge;  he  continues  a  watchful  centinel,  he  goes 
his  rounds,  fcents  ftrangers  at  a  diftance,  and  gives  them 
warning  of  his  being  upon  duty.  If  they  attempt  to  break  in 
upon  his  territories,  he  becomes  more  fierce,  flies  at  them, 

*  The  reft  of  this  defer iption  of  the  dog  is  taken  from  mr}  Euffbn:  what  i 
;-.ddcd,is  marked  as  before, 


DOG  KIND. 

threatens,  fights,  and  either  conquers  alone,  or  alarms  thofe 
who  have  mod  intereft  in  coming  to  his  afliftance  ;  however, 
when  he  has  conquered,  he  quietly  repofes  upon  the  fpoil,  and 
abftains  from  what  he  has  deterred  others  from  abufing  ;  giv- 
ing thus  at  once  a  lefTon  of  courage,  temperance  and  fidelity. 

From  hence  we  fee  of  what  importance  this  animal  is  to  us 
in  a  ftate  of  nature.  Suppofing,  for  a  moment,  that  the  fpecies 
had  not  exifted,  how  could  man,  without  the  affiftance  of  the 
dog,  have  been  able  to  conquer,  tame,  and  reduce  to  fervitude, 
every  other  animal?  How  could  he  difcover,  chafe  and  deftroy, 
thofe  that  were  noxious  to  him  ?  In  order  to  be  fecure,  and  to 
become  matter  of  all  animated  nature,  it  was  necefiary  for  him 
to  begin  by  making  a  friend  of  a  part  of  them ;  to  attach  fuch 
of  them  to  himfelf,  by  kindnefs  and  carefles,  as  feemed  fitteft 
for  obedience,  and  active  in  purfuit.  Thus,  the  tirft  art  employ- 
ed by  man,  was  in  conciliating  the  favour  of  the  dog;  and  the 
fruits  of  this  art  were,  the  conqueft  and  peaceable  pofleffion  of 
the  earth. 

The  generality  of  animals  have  greater  agility,  greater  fwift- 
nefs,  and  more  formidable  arms,  from  nature,  than  man  ;  their 
fenfes,  and  particularly  that  of  fmelling,  are  far  more  perfect  : 
the  having  gained,  therefore,  a  new  afliftant,  particularly,  one 
whofe  fcent  is  fo  exquifite  as  that  of  the  dog,  was  the  gaining 
a  new  fenfe,  a  new  faculty,  which  before  was  wanting.  The 
machines  and  inftruments  which  we  have  imagined  for  perfect- 
ing the  reft  of  the  fenfes,  do  not  approach  to  that  already  pre- 
pared by  nature,  by  which  we  are  enabled  to  find  out  every 
animal,  though  unfeen,  and  thus  deftroy  the  noxious,  and  ufe 
the  ferviceable. 

The  dog,  thus  ufeful  in  himfelf,  taken  into  a  participation  of 
empire,  exerts  a  degree  of  fuperiority  over  all  animals  that  re- 
quire human  protection.  The  flock  and  the  herd  obey  his  voice 
more  readily  even  than  that  of  the  fhepherd  or  the  herdfman ;  he 
conducts  them,  guards  them,  keeps  them  fromcapricioufly  feek- 
ing  danger,  and  their  enemies  he  confiders  as  hi*  own.  Nor  is  he 
Icfs  ufeful  in  the  purfuit;  when  the  found  of  the  horn,  or  the  voice 


160  ANIMALS  OF  THE 

of  the  huntfrrtan  calls  him  to  the  field,  he  teftifies  his  plcafurc 
by  every  little  art.  and  purfues  withperfeverance,  thofe  animals, 
which,  when  taken,  he  muft  not  expect  to  divide.  The  defires 
of  hunting  is  indeed  natural  to  him  as  well  as  to  his  matter* 
(ince  war  and  the  chacc  are  the  only  employment  of  favages. 
All  animals  that  live  iipcn  flefh  hunt  by  nature ;  the  lion  and 
the  tiger,  whofe  force  is  fo  great  that  they  are  fare  to  conquer, 
hunt  alone  aud  without  art ;  the  wolf,  the  fox,  and  the  wild 
dog,  hunt  in  p;icks;  affift  each  other,  and  partake  the  fpoil.  But 
when  education  has  perfected  this  talent  in  the  domeflic  dog, 
when  he  has  been  taught  by  man  to  reprefs  his  ardour,  to  inea- 
fure  his  motions,  and  not  to  exhauft  his  force  by  too  fudden  an 
exertion  of  it,  he  then  hunts  with  method,  and  always  with 
fuccefs. 

"  Although  the  wild  dog,  fuch  as  he  was  before  he  came  un- 
der the  protection  of  mankind,  is  at  prefent  utterly  unknown, 
no  fuch  animal  being  now  to  be  found  in  any  part  of  the  world, 
yet  there  are  many  that,  from  a  domeftic  ftate,  have  turned 
favage,  and  entirely  purfue  the  dictates  of  nature."  In  thofe  de- 
ferted  and  uncultivated  countries,  where  the  dog  is  found  wild, 
they  feem  entirely  to  partake  of  the  difpofition  of  the  wolf ; 
they  unite  in  large  bodies,  and  attack  the  moft  formidable  ani- 
mals of  the  foreit,  the  cougar,  the  panther,  and  the  bifon.  In 
America,  where  they  were  originally  brought  by  the  Europeans* 
and  abandoned  by  their  matters,  they  have  multiplied  to  fuch  a 
degree,  that  they  fpread  in  packs  over  the  whole  country,  attack 
all  other  animals,  and  even  man  himfelf  does  not  pafs  without 
infult.  They  are  there  treated  in  the  fame  manner  as  all  other 
carnivorous  animals,  and  killed  wherever  they  happen  to 
come  :  however,  they  are  eafily  tamed  :  when  taken  home,  and 
treated  with  kindnefs  and  lenity,  they  quickly  become  fubmif- 
iive  and  familiar,  and  continue  faithfully  attached  to  their  maf- 
ters.  Different  in  this  from  the  wolf  or  the  fox,  who,  though 
taken  never  fo  young,  are  gentle  only  while  cubs,  and,  as  they 
grow  older,  give  themfelves  up  to  their  natural  appetites  of  ra- 
pine and  cruelty.  In  fhort,  it  may  be  aflerted,  that  the  dog  is 
the  only  animal  whofe  fidelity  is  unfhaken  ;  the  only  one  who 


DOGKIND.  161 

knows  his  mailer,  and  the  friends  of  the  family  ;  the  only  one 
who  inftantly  diilinguimes  a  flranger ;  the  only  one  who  knows 
his  name,  and  anfwers  to  the  domeiiic  call;  the  only  one  who 
feems  to  under  (land  the  nature  of  fubordination,  and  feeks  affif- 
tance  ;  the  only  one,  who,  when  he  mifles  his  mafter,  teilifies 
his  lofs  by  his  complaints  ;  the  only  one  who,  carried  to  a  dif- 
tant  place,  can  find  the  way  home  ;  the  only  one  whofe  natur- 
al talents  are  evident,  and  whofe  education  is  always  fuccefs- 
ful. 

In  the  fame  manner,  as  the  dog  is  of  the  mod  complying 
difpofition,  fo  alio  is  it  the  moil  fufceptible  of  change  in  its 
form  ;  the  varieties  of  this  animal  being  too  many  for  even  the 
moil  careful  defcriber  to  mention.  The  climate,  the  food,  and 
the  education,  all  make  ftrong  impreflions  upon  the  animal, 
and  produce  alterations  in  its  fnape,  its  colour,  its  hair,  its  fize, 
and  in  every  thing  but  its  nature.  The  fame  dog,  taken  from 
one  climate,  and  brought  to  another,,  feems  to  become  another 
animal ;  but  different  breeds  are  as  much  feparated,  to  all  ap- 
pearance, as  any  two  animals  the  mofl  diflinft  in  nature.  No- 
thing appears  to  continue  conftant  with  them,  but  their  inter- 
nal conformation  ;  different  in  the  figure  of  the  body,  in  the 
length  of  the  nofe,  in  the  ftiape  of  the  head,  in  the  length  and 
the  direction  of  ears  and  tail,  in  the  colour,  the  quality,  and  the 
quantity  of  the  hair  ;  in  fhort,  different  in  every  thing  but  that 
make  of  the  parts  which  ferve  to  continue  the  fpecies,  and  keep 
the  animal  diflin<fl  from  all  others.  It  is  this  peculiar  confor- 
mation, this  power  of  producing  an  animal  that  can  reproduce, 
that  marks  the  kind,  and  approximates  forms  that  at  firft  fight 
feem  never  made  for  conjunction. 

From  this  fingle  confederation,  therefore,  we  may  at  once 
pronounce  all  dogs  to  be  of  one  kind  ;  but  which  of  them  is 
the  original  of  all  the  reft,  which  of  them  is  the  favage  dog 
from  whence  fuch  a  variety  of  defendants  have  come  down, 
is  no  eafy  matter  to  determine.  We  may  eafily,  indeed,  obferve, 
that  ail  thofe  animals  \vhich  are  under  the  influence  of  man, 
are  fubject  to  great  variations.  Such  as  have  been  fufficiently 

VOL.  II.  X 


ANIMALS   OF  THE 

independent,  fo  as  to  choofe  their  own  climate,  their  own  nou- 
rifhnient,  and  to  purfue  their  own  habitudes,  preferve  the  ori- 
ginal marks  of  nature,  without  much  deviation  ;  and  it  is  pro- 
bable, that  the  Tirfl  of  thefe  is  even  at  this  day  very  well  re- 
prefented  in  their  defendants.  But  fueh  as  man  has  fiibducd, 
tranfported  from  one  climate  to  another,  controuled  in  their 
manner  of  living  and  their  food,  have  mofc  probably  been  chan- 
ged allo  in  their  forms  :  particularly  the  dog  has  felt  thefe  al- 
terations more  ftrongly  than  any  other  of  the  domefcic  kinds  ; 
for  living  more  like  man,  he  may  be  thus  faid  to  live  more 
irregularly  alfo,  and,  confequently,  mult  have  felt  all  thofc 
changes  that  fuch  variety  would  naturally  produce.  tSome 
oilier  caufes  aifo  maybe  .afligncd.  for  this  variety  in  the  fpecies 
of  the  dog  :  as  he  is  perpetually  under  the  eye  of  his  mailer, 
\vhen  accident  has  produced  any  linguiarity  in  its  productions, 
man  ufes  all  his  art  to  continue  this  peculiarity  unchanged  ; 
either  by  breeding  from  fuch  as  had  thoie  fmgularities,  or  by 
deftroying  fuch  as  happened  to  want  them  ;  befides,  as  the 
dog  produces  much  more  frequently  than  fome  other  animals, 
and  lives  a  fhcrter  time,  fo  the  chance  for  its  varieties  will  be 
offered  in  greater  proportion. 

But  which  is  the  original  animal,  and  which  the  artificial 
or  accidental  variety,  is  a  queftion,  which,  as  wras  faid,  is  not 
eafily  refolved.  If  the  internal  ftrucltire  of  dogs  of  different 
forts  be  compared  with  each  ether,  it  will  be  found,  except  m 
point  of  (ize,  thr.t,  in  this  refpect,  they  are  exactly  the 
fame.  This,  therefore,  affords  no  criterion.  If  other  animals 
be  compared  with  the  dog  internally,  the  wolf  and  the  fox 
will  be  found  to  have  the  moft  perfect  refemblance  ;  it  is 
probable,  therefore,  that  the  dog  which  moil  nearly  refemblcs 
ihe  wolf  or  the  fox  externally,  is  the  original  animal  of  its 
kind:  for  it  is  natural  to  fuppofe,  that  as  the  clog  molt  nearly 
s  them  internally,  fo  he  may  be  near  them  in  external 
rcfembhncc  alfo,  except  where  art  or  accident  has  alterd  his 
form.  This  being  fuppofed,  if  we  look  among  the  number  of 
varieties  to  be  found  in  the  dog,  we  fhall  not  find  one  fo  like 
the  wolf  or  the  fox,  as  that  which  is  called  the  fhepherd's  do«^, 

o 


DOG    KIM).  n-5 

V, 
This  is  that  dog  with  long  coarfe  hair  on  nil  parts  except  the 

nofe,  pricked  ears,  and  a  long  nek,  which  is  common  enough 
among  us,  and  receives  his  name  from  b:  ing  principally  ufed 
in  guarding  and  attending  on  fheep.  This  feems  to  be  tho 
primitive  animal  of  his  kind  ;  and  \ve<4kall  be  the  more  con- 
firmed in  tflis  opinion,  if  \ve  attend  to  the  different  characters 
which  climate  produces  in  this  animal,  and  the.  different  races 
of  dogs  which  are  propagated  in  every  country  :  and,  in  the 
firft  place,  if  we  examine  thofe  countries  which  are  ftill  fa- 
vage,  or  but  half  civilized,  where  it  is  mod  probable  the  dog, 
like  his  mailer,  has  received  but  few  impreffions  from  art,  we 
{hall  find  the  fhepherd's  dog,  or  one  very  like  him,  itill  pre- 
vailing amongft  them.  The  dogs  that  have  run  wild  .in  Ameri- 
ca, and  in  Congo,  approach  this  form.  The  dog  of  Siberia^ 
Lapland,  and  Iceland,  of  the  Cape  of  Good  Hope,  of  Mada- 
.gafcar,  Madura,  Calicut,  and  Malabar,  have  all  a  long  nofe, 
pricked  ears,  and  refemble  the  (hepherd's  dog  very  nearly. 
In  Guinea,  the .  dog  very  fpeedily  takes  this  form  ;  for,  at 
the  fecond  or  third  generation,  the  animal  forgets  to  bark, 
his  ears  and  his  tail  become  pointed,  and  his  hair  drops  ofF5 
while  a  coarfer,  thinner  kind  comes  in  the  place.  This  fort  of 
dog  is  alfo  to  be  found  in  the  temperate  climates  in  great 
abundance,  particularly  among  thofe,  who,  preferring  ufeful- 
nefs  to  beauty,  employ  an  animal  that  requires  very  little  in- 
ftruction  to  be  ferviceable.  Notwithstanding  this  creature's 
deformity,  his  melancholy  and  favage  air,  he  is  fuperior  to  all 
the  reft  of  hisJrind  in  inftinct ;  and,  without  any  teaching*  na- 
turally takes  to  tending  flocks,  with  an  affiduity  and  vigilance 
that  at  once  aftonifhes,  and  yet  relieves  his  matter. 

In  more  polimed  and  civilized  places,  the  dog  feems  to  par- 
take of  the  univerfal  refinement ;  and,  like  the  men,  becomes 
more  beautiful,  more  majeftic,  and  more  capable  of  ailuming 
an  education  foreign  to  his  nature.  The  dogs  of  Albany,  of 
Greece,  of  Denmark,  and  of  Ireland,  are  larger  and  flrong- 
er  than  thofe  of  any  other  kind.  In  France,  Germany,  Spain, 
and  Italy,  the  dogs  are  of.  various  kinds,  like  the  men  ;  and 


164  ANIMALS   OF  THE 

this  variety  feems   formed  by  crofling  the  breed  of  fuch  r.3 
are  imported  from  various  climates. 

The  fheperd's  dog  may,  therefore,  be  confidercd  as  the 
primitive  flock  from  whence  thefe  varieties  are  all  derived, 
He  makes  the  fbem  of  that  genealogical  tree  which  has  been 
branched  out  into  every  part  of  the  world.  This  animal  flill 
continues  pretty  nearly  in  its  original  ftate  among  the  poor 
in  temperate  climates  ;  being  tranfported  into  the  colder  re- 
gions, he  grows  lefs  and  more  ugly  among  the  Laplanders  ; 
but  becomes  more  perfect  in  Iceland,  Ruflia  and  Siberia, 
where  the  climate  is  lefs  rigorous,  and  the  people  more  civi- 
lized. Whatever  differences  there  may  be  among  the  dogs 
of  thefe  countries,  they  are  not  very  confiderable,  as  they 
all  have  (trait  ears,  long  and  thick  hair,  a  favage  afpedr,  and 
do  not  bark  either  fo  often  or  fo  loud  as  dogs  of  the  more 
cultivated  kind. 

The  fhepherd's  dog,  tranfported  into  the  temperate  climates, 
and  among  people  entirely  civilized,  fuch  as  England,  France, 
and  Germany,  will  be  diverted  of  his  favage  air,  his  pricked 
ears,  his  rough,  long,  and  thick  hair,  and,  from  the  {ingle  in- 
fluence of  climate  and  food  alone,  will  become  either  a  ma- 
tin, a  maftifF,  or  a  hound.  Thefe  three  feem  the  immediate 
defendants  of  the  former  ;  and  from  them  the  other  vari- 
eties are  produced. 

The  hound,  the  harrier,  and  the  beagle,  feem  all  of  the  fame 
kind  ;  for  although  the  bitch  is  covered  but  by  one  of  them, 
yet  in  her  litters  are  found  puppies  refembling  all  the  three. 
This  animal,  tranfported  into  Spain  or  Barbary,  where  the 
hair  of  all  quadrupeds  become  foft  and  long,  will  be  there 
converted  into  the  land-fpaniel,  and  the  water-fpaniel,  and 
thefe  of  different  fizes. 

The  grey  matin  hound,  which  is  the  fecond  branch,  tranf- 
ported to  the  north,  becomes  the  great  Danifh  dog  ;  and 
this,  fent  into  the  fouth,  becomes  the  grey-hound,  of  different 
fizes.  The  fame  tranfponed  into  Ireland,  the  Ukraine,  Tar- 


HatrA'VIL 


Pl64VoLJl. 


DOG   KIND.  165 

tary,  Epirus,  and  Albania,  becomes  tire  great  wolf  dog,  known 
by  the  name  of  the  Iiiih  wolf  dog. 

The  maftifF,  which  is  the  third  branch,  and  chiefly  a  nr.tivr 
of  England,  when  tranfported  into  Denmark,  becomes  the  lit- 
tle Daniih  dog;  and  this  little  Daniih  dog,  >  the  tro- 
pical and  warm  climates,  becomes  the  animal  called  the  Tar- 
kim  dog,  without  hair.  All  thcfe  races,  with  their  varieties, 
are  produced  by  the  .influence  of  climate,  joined  to  the  c. 
ent  food,  education,  and  fhelter,  which  they  have  received 
among  mankind.  All  other  kinds  may  be  considered  as  mon- 
grel races,  produced  by  the  concurrent  •  of  t.^fe,  and  found 
rather  by  croffing  the  breed  than  by  attending  to  the  indivi- 
dual. "  As  thefe  are  extremely  numerous,  and  very  dilierent 
in  different  countries,  it  would  be  almoft  endlefs  to  mention 
the  whole  ;  befides,  nothing  but  experience  can  ascertain  the 
reality  of  thefe  conjectures  already  made,  although  they  have 
fo  much  the  appearance  of  probability  ;  and  until  that  gives 
more  certain  information,  we  mull  be  excufed  from  entering 
more,  minutely  into  the  fubjech 

"  With  regard  to  the  dogs  of  our  country  in  particular,  the 
varieties  are  very  great,  and  the  number  every  day  mcreafmg. 
And  this  muft  happen  in  a  country  fo  open  by  commerce  to  all 
others,  and  where  wealth  is  apt  to  produce  capricious  predi- 
lection. Here  the  uglieil  and  the  moil  ufelefs  of  their  kinds 
will  be  entertained  merely  for  their  fingularity  ;  and,  being 
imported  only  to  be  looked  at.  they  will  lofe  even  that  fmall 
degree  of  fagacity  which  they  polTefied  in  their  natural  cli- 
mates. From  this  importation  of  foreign  ufelefs  dogs,  cur  own 
native  breed  is,  I  am  informed,  greatly  degenerated,  and  the 
varieties  now  to  be  found  in  England  much  more  numerous 
than  they  were  in  the  times  of  queen  Elizabeth,  when  doctor 
Caius  attempted  their  natural  hifrory.  Some  of  thefe  he  men- 
tions are  no  longer  to  be  found  among  us,  although  many  have 
fmce  beera  introduced,  by  no  means  fo  ferviceable  as  thofe 
which  have  been  fuiFered  to  decay. 

«  He  divides  the  whole  race  into  three  kinds.  The  G 


166  ANIMALS  OF  THE 

the  generous  kind,  which  confifts  of  the  tamer,  the  harrier, 
and  the  blood-hound  ;  the  gaze-hound,  the  grey-Hound,  the 
leymmer,  and  the  tumljler  ;  all  thefe  are  ufcd  for  hunting. 
Then  the  fpaniel,  the  fetter,  and  the  water -fpaniel,  or  finder, 
were  ufed  for  fowling  ;  and  the  fpaniel,  gentle,  or  lap-dog, 
for  amufement.  The  fecond  is  the  farm  kind ;  confiding  of 
the  fhepherd's  dog  and  the  mailifT.  And  the  third  is  the  mon- 
grel kind  j  confiding  of  the  wappe,  the  turn-fpit,  and  the 
dancer.  To  thefe  varieties  we  may  add,  at  prefent,  the  bull- 
dog, the  Dutch  maftiffj  the  harlequin,  the  pointer^  and  the 
Dane,  with  a  variety  of  lap-dogs,  which,  as  they  are-pe-rfectly 
ufelefs,  may  be  confidered  as  unworthy  of  a  name.. 

"  The  tarrier  is  a  fmall  kind  of  hound"-,  with  rough  hair, 
made  ufe  of  to  force  the  fox  or  the  badger  out  of  their  holes; 
or  rather  to  give  notice,  by  their  barking,  in  \vhat  part  of  their 
kennel  the  fox  or  badger  refides,  when  the  fnortfmen  intend  to 
dig  them  out.. 

«  The  harrier,  as  well  as  the  beagle  and  the  fox-hound  are 
ufed  for  hunting  ;  of  all  other  animals,  they  have  the  quick- 
el!  and  mod  diflinguiftiing  fenfe  of  fmclling.  The  properly 
breeding,  matching,  and  training  thefe,  make  up  the  bufmefs.- 
of  many  men's  lives. 

"  The  blood-hound  was  a  dog  of  great  ufe,  and  in  hi^Ii 
eftecm  among  our  anceftors.  Its  employ  was  to  recover  any 
game  that  had  efcaped  wounded  from  the  hunter,  or  had 
been  killed,  and  flolen  out  of  the  forefl.  But  it  was  dill  more 
employed  in  hunting  thieves  and  robbers  by  their  footftep.s. 
At  that  time,  when  the  country  was  Icfs  peopled  than  at  pre- 
fent,  and  when,  confequently,  the  footdeps  of  one  man  were 
lefs  crofled  and  obliterated  by  thofe  of  others,  this  animal 
was  very  ferviceable  in  fuch  purfuits  -y  but  at  prefent,  when 
the  country  is  every  where  peopled,  this  variety  is  quite  worn 
out ;  probably  becaufe  it  was  found  of  lefs  fervice  than  for- 
merly. » 

"  The  gaze- hound  hunted  like  our  grey-hounds,  by  the 

*  Britim  Zoology. 


If) 6  Vol. II 


V  XIX  . 


Vol  .11.7' 


, 


DOG  KIND.  16-} 

eye  and  not  by  die  fccnt.  1  indifferently  the  fox,  hare, 

or  buck.  It  v  :om  the  herd  the  fatted  and  faireft 

deer,  purfue  it  by  the  eye,  and,  if  loft,  recover  it  again  with 
r.mazing  fagac'ity.  This  ipecies  is  nc\v  loft  or  unknown  among 
us. 

(f  The  grcy-Iiound  is  very  well  known  at  prefent,  and  was 
formerly  held  in  fuch  elthnafion,  that  it  was  the  peculiar  corn- 
par,  --n  of  a  gentleman  ;  who,  in  the  times  of  femi-barbarifm, 
was  known  by  his  horfe,  his  hawk,  and  his  grey-hound.  Per- 
fons  under  a  certain  rank  of  life  are  forbidden,  by  fome  late 
game-l.iws,  from  keeping  this  animal  ;  wherefore,  to  difguifc 
it  the  better,  they  cut  off  its  tail. 

"  The  levmmer  is  a  fpecies  now  unknown  to  us.  It  hunt- 
ed both  by  fcent  and  fight,  and  was  led  in  a  leyme  or  thong, 
from  whence  it  received  its  name. 

<c  The  tumbler  was  lefs  than  the  hound,  more  fcraggy,  and 
had  pricked  ears  ;  fo  that  by  the  defcription,  it  feems  to  an- 
fwer  to  the  modern  lurcher.  This  took  its  prey  by  mere  cun- 
ning, depending  neither  on  the  goodnefs  of  its  nofe  nor  its 
fwiftnefs.  If  it  came  into  a  v/urren,  it  neither  barked  nor  ran 
on  the  rabbits  ;  but,  feemingly  inattentive,  approached  fuITici- 
f  nily  near  till  it  came  within  reach,  and  then  feized  them  by 
a  fudden  fpring. 

"  The  land  fpaniel,  which  probably  had  its  name  from 
Spain,  where  it  might  have  acquired  the  foftnefs  of  its  hair, 
is  well  known  at  prefent.  There  are  two  varieties  of  this  kind; 
namely,  the  ilater,  uied  in  hawking  to  fpring  the  game  ;  and 
the  fetter,  that  crouches  down  when  it  fcents  the  birds,  till 
the  net  be  drawn  over  them.  I  have  read  fornewhere  that  the 
famous  poet,  lord  Surry,  was  the  firft  who  taugh  dogs  to  fet ; 
it  being  an  amufernent  to  this  day  only  known  in  England. 

"  The  water  fpaniel  was  another  fpecies  ufed  in  fowling. 
This  feems  to  be  the  mo  ft  docile  of  all  the  dog  kind  ;  and 
this  docility  is  particularly  owing  to  his  natural  attachment 
to  man.  Many  other  kinds  will  not  bear  correction  ;  but  this 
patient  creature,  though  very  fierce  to  ftrangers,  feems  un- 


i6S  ANIMALS   OF   THE 

Alterable  in  his  affe£Hons  ;  and  blows  and  ill  ufuage  feem  only 
to  increafc  his  regard* 

"  The  lap-dog,  at  the  time  of  doctor  Cnius,  was  of  Mal- 
tefe  breed  ;  at  prefent  it  comes  from  different  countries  j  in 
general,  the  more  aukward  or  extraordinary  thefe  are,  the 
more  they  are  prized. 

"  The  fhepherd's  dog  has  been  already  mentioned,  and,  as 
for  the  maftiff,  he  is  too  common  to  require  a  defcription. 
Doctor  Cains  tells  us,  that  three  of  thefe  were  reckoned  a 
match  for  a  bear,  and  four  for  a  lion.  However,  we  are  told 
that  three  of  them  overcame  a  lion  in  the  times  of  king  James 
the  firft  :  two  of  them  being  di fabled  in  the  combat,  the  third 
obliged  the  lion  to  feek  for  fafety  by  flight. 

"  As  to  the  laft  divifion,  namely,  of  the  wappe,  the  turn- 
fpit,  and  the  dancer,  thefe  were  mongrels,  of  no  certain  ihape, 
and  made  ufe  of  only  to  alarm  the  family,  or,  being  taught  a 
variety  of  tricks,  were  carried  about  as  a  (how. 

"  With  regard  to  thofe  of  later  importation,  the  bull-dog, 
as  mr.  Buffon  fuppofes,  is  a  breed  between  the  fmall  Dane 
tmd  the  Englifh  maftiff.  The  large  Dane  is  the  tailed  dog 
that  is  generally  bred  in  England.  It  is  fomewhat  between  a 
maftiff  and  a  grey-hound  in  {hape,  being  more  ilendcr  than 
the  one,  and  much  ftronger  than  the  other.  They  are  chiefly 
ufed  rather  for  (ho\v  than  fervice,  being  neither  good  in  the 
yard  nor  in  the  field.  The  higheft  are  mod  efteemed  ;  and 
they  generally  cutoff  their  ears  to  improve  their  figure,  as 
fome  abfurdly  fuppofe.  The  harlequin  is  not  much  unlike  the 
fmall  Dane,  being  an  ufelefs  animal,  fomewhat  between  an 
Italian  grey-hound  and  a  Dutch  maftiff.  To  thefe,  fcveral 
others  might  be  added,  fuch  as  the  pug-dog,  the  black  breed, 
and  the  pointer  j  but,  in  fact,  the  varieties  are  fo  numerous 
as  to  fatigue  even  the  moft  ardent  curiofity." 

Of  thefe  of  the  foreign  kinds,  I  fhall  mention  only  three, 
which  are  more  remarkable  than  anv  of  the  reft.  The  lion-don; 

*  o 

greatly  refcmbles  that  animal,  .in  miniature,  from  whence  it 


DOG    KINB. 

tikes  the  name.  The  hair  of  the  fore  part  of  its  body  is  ex- 
tremely long,  while  that  of  the  hinder  part  is  as  (hort.  The 
hofe  is  (hort,  the  tail  long,  and  tufted  at  the  point,  fo  that,  in 
all  thele  particulars,  it  is  entirely  like  the  lion.  However,  it 
rs  very  much  from  that  fierce  animal  in  nature  and  dif- 
pofition,  being  one  of  the  fmallefl  animals  of  its  kind,  ex- 
tremely feeble,  timid,  and  inactive.  It  comes  originally  from 
Malta,  where  it  is  found  fo  fmall  that  women  carry  it  about 
in  their  fleeves. 

That  animal  falfely  called  the  Turkifh  dog,  differs  greatly 
from  the  reft  of  the  kind,  in  being  entirely  without  hair. 
The  fkin,  which  is  perfectly  bare,  is  of  a  flem  colour,  with 
brown  fpots;  and  their  figure,  at  firft  view,  is  rather  difgufling; 
Thefe  feem  to  be  of  the  fmall  Danifh  breed,  brought  into  a 
warm  climate,  and  there,  by  a  fucceflion  of  generations,  diveft- 
ed  of  their  hair.  For  this  reafon,  they  are  extremely  chilly, 
and  unable  to  endure  the  cold  of  our  climate  ;  and  even  in  the 
midft  of  iummer  they  continue  to  fhiver,  as  we  fee  men  in  a 
frofty  day.  Their  fpots  are  brown,  as  was  faid,  well  marked, 
and  eafily  diftinguifhable  in  fummer,  but  in  the  cold  of  winter 
they  entirely  difappear.  They  are  called  the  Turkifh  breed, 
although  brought  from  a  much  warmer  climate  j  for  fome  of 
them  have  been  known  to  come  from  the  watmeft  parts  of 
Africa  and  the  Eaft-Indies. 

"  The  laft  variety,  and  the  moft  wonderful  of  all  that  I 
fhall  mention,  is  the  great  Irifli  wolf  dog ;  that  maybe  con- 
fideted  as  the  firft  of  the  canine  fpecies.  This  animal,  which, 
is  very  rare  even  in  the  only  country  in  the  world  where  it  is 
to  be  found,  is  rather  kept  for  (how  than  ufe,  there  being  nei- 
ther wolves  nor  any  other  formidable  beafts  of  prey  in  Ire- 
land, that  feem  to  require  fo  powerful  an  antagonift.  The 
wolf  dog  is  therefore  bred  up  in  the  houfes  of  the  great,  or 
fuch  gentlemen  as  choofe  to  keep  him  as  a  curiofity,  bsin? 
neither  good  for  hunting  the  hare,  the  fox,  or  the  ftag,  and 
equally  unfervkeable  as  a  houfe  dog.  Nevertheless,  he  is  ex- 

VOL.  II.  Y 


ANIMALS   OF    THE 

tremely  beautiful  and  majeftic  to  appearance,  being  the  great- 
eft  of  the  dog  kind  to  be  feen  in^  the  world.  The  largelt  of 
thofe  I  have  feen,  and  I  have  feen  above  a  dozen,  was  about 
four  feet  high,  or  as  tall  as  a  calf  of  a  year  old.  He  was  made 
extremely  like  a  grey-hound,  but  rather  more  robuft,  and  in- 
clining to  the  figure  of  the  French  matin,  or  the  great  Dane. 
His  eye  was  mild,  his  colour  white,  and  his  nature  feemed 
heavy  and  phlegmatic.  This  I  afcribed  to  his  having  been  bred 
tip  to  a  fize  beyond  his  nature  ;  for  we  fee  in  man,  and  all 
Other  animals,  that  fuch  as  are  overgrown,  are  neither  fo  vigo- 
rous nor  alert  as  thofe  of  more  moderate  ftature.  The  great- 
eft  pains  have  been  taken  with  thefe  to  enlarge  the  breed,  both 
by  food  and  matching.  This  end  was  effectually  obtained,  in- 
deed ;  for  the  fize  was  enormous  ;  but,  as  it  feemed  to  me, 
at  the  expenfe  of  the  animal's  fiercenefs,  vigilance,  and  fa- 
gacity.  However,  I  was  informed  otherwife  ;  the  gentleman 
who  bred  them  afluring  me  that  a  mnftifF  would  be  nothing 
when  oppofed  to  one  of  them,  who  generally  feized  their  an- 
tagonift  by  the  back  :  he  added,  that  they  would  worry  the 
ilrongefl  bull-dogs,  in  a  few  minutes,  to  death.  But  this 
ftrength  did  not  appear  either  in  their  figure  or  their  inclina- 
tions ;'they  feemed  rather  more  timid  than  the  ordinary  race  of 
dogs  ;  and  their  fkin  was  much  thinner,  and  confequently  lefs 
fitted  for  combat.  "Whether  with  thefe  difadvantages  they  were 
capable,  as  I  was  told,  of  tingly  coping  with  bears,  others  may- 
determine  ;  however,  they  have  but  few  opportunities,  in  their 
own  country,  of  exerting  their  ftrength,  as  all  wild  carni- 
vorous animals  there  are  only  of  the  vermin  kind.  Mr.  Buf- 
fon  feems  to  be  of  opinion  that  thefe  are  the  true  Moloffian 
dogs  of  the  ancients  ;  he  gives  no  reafon  for  this  opinion  ;  and 
I  am  apt  to  think  it  ill  grounded.  Not  to  trouble  the  reader 
with  a  tedious  critical  difquifition,  which  I  have  all  along 
avoided,  it  will  be  fufficient  to  obferve,  that  Nemefianus,  in 
giving  directions  for  the  choice  of  a  bitch,  advifes  to  have  one 
of  Spartan  or  Moloffian  breed  ;  and  among  feveral  other  per- 
fections, he  fays,  that  the  ears  mould  be  dependent,  and  flue- 


DOG  KIND.  171 

faiate  as  fhe  runs*.  This,  however,  is  by  no  means  the  cafe 
with  the  Irifli  v/olf-dog,  wliofe  ears  referable  thofe  of  the 
grey-hound,  and  are  far  from  fluctuating  with  the  animal's 
motions.  But,  of  whatever  kinds  thefe  dogs  may  be,  whether 
known  among  the  ancients,  or  whether  produced  by  a  later 
mixture,  they  are  now  almoft  quite  worn  away,  and  are  very 
rarely  to  bs  met  with  even- in  Ireland.  If  carried  to  other  coun- 
tries, they  foon  degenerate  ;  and  even  at  home,  unlefs  great 
care  be  taken,  they  quickly  alter.  They  were  once  employed  in 
clearing  the  ifland  of  wolves,  which  infefted  it  in  great  plen- 
ty ;  but  thefe  being  deflroyed,  the  dogs  alib  are  wearing  awayj 
as  if  nature  meant  to  annihilate  the  fpecies  when  they  had  no 
longer  any  fervices  to  perform. 

"  In  this  manner  fever  al  kinds  of  animals  fade  from  the 
face  of  nature  that  were  once  well  known,  but  are  now  feen 
no  longer.  The  enormous  elk  of  the  fame  kingdom,  that,  by 
its  horns,  could  not  have  been  lefs  than  eleven  feet  high,  the 
wolf,  and  even  the  wolf-dog,  are  extinct,  or  only  continued 
in  fuch  a  manner  as  to  prove  their  former  plenty  and  exiil- 
ence.  From  hence  it  is  probable,  that  many  of  the  nobler 
kinds  of  dogs,  of  which  the  ancients  have  given  us  fuch  beau- 
tiful defcriptions,  are  now  utterly  unknown  ;  fince,  among  the 
whole  breed,  we  have  not  one  that  will  venture  to  engage  the 
lion  or  the  tiger  in  fingle  combat.  The  Englifh  bull-dog  is 
perhaps  the  braveft.of  the  kind  ;  but  what  are  his  mod  boafted 
exploits  to  thofe  mentioned  of  the  Epirotic  dogs  by  Pliny, 
o,r  the  Indian  dogs  by  ./Elian  ?  The  latter  gives  a  defcription 
of  a  combat  between  a  dog  and  a  lion,  which  I  will  take,  leave 
to  tranflate. 

"  When  Alexander  was  purfuing  his  conquefts  in  India, 
one  of  the  principal  men  of  that  country  was  defirous  of 
fliowing  him  the  value  of  the  dogs  which  his  country  pro- 

*  Elige  tune  ctrfu  facilem,  faciiemque  recurwi, 

In  Lacedzmonio  natam  feu  rure  MoloiTo. 

Renibus  ampla  fatis  validis,  diduclaque  coxas 
e  niinis  molljs  fluitent  in  curfibus  aures. 


373  ANIMALS  OF  THE 

duced.  Bringing  his  dog  into  the  king's  prefence,  he  ordered 
a  flag  to  be  let  loofe  before  him,  which  the  dog,  defpifmg  as  an 
unworthy  enemy,  remained  regardlefs  of  the  animal,  and  never 
once  ftirred  from  his  place.  Jlis  mailer  then  ordered  a  wild 
boar  to  be  fet  out ;  but  the  dog  thought  even  this  a  defpicable 
foe,  and  remained  calm  and  regardlefs  as  before.  He  was  next 
tried  with  a  bear  j  but  ftill  defpifmg  his  enemy,  he  only  wai-. 
ted  for  an  object  more  wpithy  of  his  courage  and  his  force.  At 
lad,  they  brought  forth  a  tremendous  lion,  and  then  the  dog 
acknowledged  his  antagonill,  and  prepared  for  combat.  He  in- 
itantly  difcovered  a  degree  of  ungovernable  ardour  ;  and,  fly- 
ing at  the  lion  with  fury,  feized  him  by  the  throat,  and  totally 
difabled  him  from  refiftance.  Upon  this,  the  Indian,  who  was 
defirous  of  furprizing  the  king,  and  knowing  the  conftancy 
and  bravery  of  his  dog,  ordered  his  tail  to  be  cut  off  ;  which 
was  eafily  performed  as  the  bold  animal  was  employed  in  hold- 
ing the  lion.  He  next  ordered  one  of  his  legs  to  be  broken  ^ 
which,  however,  did  not  in  the  leaft  abate  the  dog's  ardour, 
but  he  ftill  kept  his  hold  as  before.  Another  leg  was  then  bro- 
ken ;  but  the  dog,  as  if  he  had  fuflered  no  pain,  only  preffed 
the  lion  ftill  the  more.  In  this  cruel  manner,  all  his  legs  were 
cut  off,  without  abating  his  courage;  and  at  laft,  when  even  his 
head  was  feparated  from  his  body,  the  jaws,  feemed  to  keep 
their  former  hold.  A  fight,  fo  cruel,  did  not  fail  to  affect  the 
king  with  very  ftrong  emotions,  at  once  pitying  the  dog's  fate 
and  admiring  his  fortitude.  Upon  which  the  Indian,  feeing 
him  thus  moved,  prefented  him  with  four  dogs  of  the  fame 
kind,  which,  in  fome  meafure,  alleviated  his  uneafmefs  for  t£e- 
lofs  of  the  former. 

"  The  breed  of  dogs,  however,  in  that  country,  is  ?t  pre- 
fent  very  much  inferior  to  what  this  (lory  feems  to  imply  ; 
fince,  in  many  places,  inftead  of  dogs,  they  have  Animals  of 
the  cat  kind  for  hunting.  In  other  places,  alfo,  th/s  admirable 
and  faithful  animal,  in  (lead  of  being  applied  to  his  natural, 
ufes,  is  only  kept  to  be  eaten.  All  over  China  there  are  dog- 
butchers,  and  fliambles  appointed  for  felling  their  ilefli.  In 
Canton  particularly,  there  is  a  flreet  appointed  for  that  pur- 


DOG    KIND.  i?< 

pofe  ;  and  what  is  very  extraordinary,  wherever  a  dog-butcher 
appears,  all  the  dogs  of  the  place  are  fure  to  be  in  full 
after  iiim  ;  they  knov/  thfl  ,  and  perfccute  him  as  far 

;is  they  are  able."  Along  the  roilts  of  Guinea,  their  flefli  is 
efteemed  a  delicacy  by  the  Negroes  ;  and  they  will  give  one 
of  their  cows  for  a  dog.  But,  among  this  barbarous  and  bru- 
tal people,  fcarce  any  thing  that  has  life  comes  amns  ; 
they  may  well  take  Tip  with  a  c;o£,  fmce  they  confider  toads, 
lizards,  and  even  the  flefh  of  the  tiger  itfelf,  as  a  dainty.  It 
rnay  perhaps  happen  that  the  flefh  of  this  animal,  which  is  fo 
indifferent  in  the  temperate  climates,  may  aim  me  a  better  qua- 
lity in  thofe  v /Inch  are  more  warm  ;  but  it  is  more  than  pro- 
bable, that  ths  diverfity  is  rather  in  man  than  in  the  fleih  of  the 
dog  ;  fmce,  in  the  cold  countries,  the  flefti  is  eaten  with  equal 
appetite  by  the  favages  ;  and  they  have  their  clog-feafts  in  the 
fame  manner  as  we  have  ours  for  venifon, 

In  our  climate,  the  wild  animals  that  mod  approach  the  dog, 
are  the  wolf  and  the  fox  ;  thefe  in  their  internal  conformation 
greatly  refemble  each  other,  and  yet,  in  their  natures,  are  very 
diitinct.  The  ancients  afierted  that  they  bred  together ;  an;!, 
I  am  afTured,  by  credible  perfons,  that  there  are  many  animals 
in  this  country  bred  between  a  dog  and  a  fox.  However,  all 
the  endeavours  of  mr.  Burton  to  make  them  engender,  as  he 
affiires  us,  were  ineffectual.  For  this  purpofe,  he  bred  up  a 
young  wolf,  taken  in  the  woods,  at  two  months  old,  with  a 
matin  dog  of  the  fame  age.  They  were  {hut  up  together, 
without  any  other,  in  a  large  yard,  where  they  had  a  fheiter 
for  retiring.  They  neither  of  them  knew  any  other  individual 
of  their  kind,  nor  even  any  other  man  but  he  who  had  the 
charge  of  feeding  them.  In  this  manner,  they  were  kept  for 
three  years  ;  {till  with  the  fame  attention,  and  \\  ithout  con- 
{training  or  tying  them  up.  During  the  firft  year,  the  young 
animals  played  with  each  other  continually,  and  feemed  to 
love  each  other  very  much.  In  the  fecond  year,  they  began  to 
difpute  about  their  victuals,  although  they  were  given  more, 
than  they  could  ufe.  The  quarrel  always  began  on  the  wolf's 
fide.  They  were  brought  their  food,  whicl^  confi(te4  of  flefli 


i?4  ANIMALS  OF  THE 

and  bones,  upon  a  large  wooden  platter,  which  was  la'id  oa 
the  ground.  Juft  as  it  was  put  down,  the  wolf,  iafte  ad  of  falk 
ing  to  the  meat,  began  by  driving  oiF  the  dog  ;  and  took  the 
platter  in  his  teeth  fo  expertly,  that  he  let  nothing  of  what 
it  contained  fall  upon  the  ground  •,  and,  in  this  manner,  car- 
ried it  off ;  but  as  he  could  not  entirely  efcape,  he  was  fre- 
quently feen  to  run  with  it  round  the  yard  five  or  fix  times, 
ft  ill  carrying  it  in  a  poiition  that  none  of  its  contents  could 
fall.  In  this  manner  it  would  continue  running.,  only  now  and 
then  flopping  to  take  breath,  until  the  dog  coming  up,  the  wolf 
would  leave  the  victuals  to  attack  him.  The  dog,  however, 
was  the  ftronger  of  the  two  ;  but  as  it  was  more  gentle,  in 
order  to  fecure  him  from  the  wolf's  attack,  he  had  a  collar 
put  round  his  neck.  In  the  third  year,  the  quarrels  of  thefe 
ill-paired  aUbciates  were  more  vehement,  and  their  combats 
more  frequent  ;  the  wolf,  therefore,  had  a  collar  put  about 
its  neck,  as  well  as  the  dog,  \vho  began  to  be  more  fierce  and 
unmerciful.  During  the  two  firft  years,  neither  feemed  tq 
teftify  the  lead  tendency  towards  engendering  ;  and  it  was 
not  till  the  end  of  the  third,  that  the  wolf,  which  was  the  fe-< 
male,  fhowed  the  natural  defire,  but  without  abating  either 
in  its  fiercenefs  or  obftinacy.  This  appetite  rather  incrcafed 
than  repreffed  their  mutual  •animofity  ;  they  became  every 
clay  more  intractable  and  ferocious,  and  nothing  was  heard 
between  them  but  the  founds  of  rage  and  refentment.  They 
both,  in  lefs  than  three  weeks,  became  remarkably  lean,  with~ 
out  ever  approaching  each  other,  but  to  combat.  At  length, 
their  quarrels  became  fo  defperate,  that  the  dog  killed  the  wolf, 
who  was  become  more  weak  and  feeble  ;  and  he  was  foon 
after  himfelf  obliged  to  be  killed,  for,  upon  being  fet  at  li* 
berty,  he  inftantly  flew  upon  every 'animal  he  met ;  fowls,  dogs, 
and  even  men  themfelves  not  efcaping  his  favage  fury. 

The  fame  experiment  was  tried  upon  foxes,  taken  young  ; 
but  with  no  better  fuccefs  :  they  were  never  found  to  engender 
with  dogs ;  and  our  learned  naturalift  feems  to  be  of  opinion, 
that  their  natures  are  too  oppofite  ever  to  provoke  mutual  de- 
fire.  One  thinj,  however,  muft  be  remarked,  that  the  anirnaia 


DOG  KIND.  «7-5 

on  which  he  tried  his  experiments,  were  rather  too  old  when 
taken,  and  hud  partly  acquired  their  natural  favage  appetites, 
before  they  came  into  his  poflcflion.  The  wolf,  as  he  acknow- 
ledges, was  two  or  three  months  old  before  it  was  caught,  and 
the  foxes  were  taken  in  traps.  It  may,  therefore,  be  eafily  fup- 
pofed,  that  nothing  could  ever  after  thoroughly  tame  thofe 
creatures,  that  had  been  fuckied  in  the  wild  ftate,  and  had 
caught  all  the  habitudes  of  the  dam.  I  have  feen  thefe  animals 
when  taken  earlitr  in  the  woods,  become  very  tame ;  and,  in- 
deed, they  rather  were  difpleafing,  by  being  too  familiar  than 
too  my.  It  were  to  be  wiihed,  that  the  experiment  were  tried  up- 
on fuch  as  thefe;  and  it  is  more  than  probable  that  it  would  pro- 
duce the  defiixu  fuceefs.  N:vcrthclefs,  thefe  experiments  are 
lufEcient  to  prove,  that  neither  the  wolf  nor  the  fox  are  of  the 
fame  nature  with  the  dog,  but  each  of  a  fpecies  perfectly  dii- 
tincl,  and  their  joint  produce  moil  probably  unfruitful. 

The  dog,  when  firft  whelped,  is  not  a  completely  finiihed 
animal.  In  this  kind,  as  in  all  the  reil  which  bring  forth  many 
at  a  time,  the  young  are  not  fo  perfetl  as  in  thofe  which  bring 
forth  but  one  or  two.  They  are  always  produced  with  the  eyes 
cloied,  the  lips  being  held  together,  not  by  flicking,  but  by  a 
kind  of  thin  membrane,  which  is  torn  as  foon  as  the  upper  eye- 
lid becomes  ftrong  enough  to  raife  it  from  the  under.  In  ge- 
neral, their  eyes  arc  not  open  till  ten  or  twelve  days  old.  Dur- 
ing that  time,  the  bones  of  the  fcull  are  not  completed,  the  bo- 
dy is  puffed  up,  the  noie  is  mort,  and  the  whole  form  but  ill 
fketched  out.  In  lefs  than  a  month,  the  puppy  begins  to  ufe  all 
its  fenfes ;  and,  from  thence,  makes  hafly  advances  to  its  per- 
fection. At  the  fourth  month,  the  dog  lofes  fome  of  his  teeth, 
as  in  other  animals,  and  thefe  are  renewed  by  fuch  as  never  fall. 
The  number  of  thefe  amount  to  forty-two,  which  is  twelve 
more  than  is  found  in  any  of  the  cat  kind,  which  are  known 
never  to  have  above  thirty.  The  teeth  of  the  dog  being  his  great 
and  only  weapon,  are  formed  in  a  manner  much  more  fervicea- 
ble  than  thofe  of  the  former;  and  there  is  fcarceany  quadruped 
that  has  a  greater  facility  in  rending,  cutting,  or  chewing  its  food. 
He  cuts  with  his  jncifcrs,  or  fors-teeth,  he  holds  with  his  four 


iyS  ANIMALS  OF  THE 

great  canine  teeth,  and  he  chews  his  meat  with  his  grinders  * 
thefe  are  fourteen  in  number,  and  fa  placed,  that,  when  the 
jaws  are  fhut,  there  remains  a  diftance  bet\\  eenthem,  fo  that  the 
clog,  by  opening  his  mouth  ever  fo  wide,  does  not  lofe  the  pow- 
er of  his  jaws.  But  it  is  othenvife  in  the  cat  kind,  whofe  inci- 
fors  or  cutting  teeth,  are  very  final],  and  whofe  grinding  teeth* 
when  brought  together,  touch  more  clofeiy  than  thofe  of  the 
dog,  and,  confequently,  have  lefs  power.  Thus,  for  in  fiance, 
I  can  fqueeze  any  thing  more  forcibly  between  my  thumb  and 
fore  finger,  where  the  diftance  is  greater,  than  between  any 
other  two  fingers,  whofe  diftance  from  each  other  is  lefs. 

This  animal  is  capable  of  reproducing  at  the  age  of  twelve 
months*,  goes  nine  weeks  with  young,  and  lives  to  about  the 
age  of  twelve*  Few  quadrupeds  are  lefs  delicate  in  their  food  ; 
and  yet  there  are  many  kinds  of  birds  which  the  dog  will  not 
venture  to  touch.  He  is  even  known,  although  in  a  fa v age  ftate, 
to  abftain  from  injuring  fome  which  one  might  fuppofe  he  had 
every  reafon  to  oppofe.  The  dogs  and  the  vultures  which  live 
wild  about  Grand  Cairo  in  Egypt,  (for  the  Mahometan  law 
has  expelled  this  ufeful  animal  from  human  fociety)  continue 
together  in  a  very  fociable  and  friendly  manner)-.  As  they  are 
both  ufeful  in  devouring  fuch  carcafes  as  might  otherwife  pu- 
trefy, and  thus  infect  the  air,  the  inhabitants  fupply  them  with 
provinons  every  day,  in  order  to  keep  them  near  the  city.  Up- 
on thefe  occafions,  the  quadrupeds  and  birds  are  often  feen  to- 
gether, tearing  the  fame  piece  of  flefh,  without  the  leaft  enmi- 
ty ;  on  the  contrary,  they  are  known  to  live  together  with  a 
kind  of  affe&ion,  and  bring  up  their  young  in  the  fame  neft. 

Although  the  dog  is  a  voracious  animal,  yet  he  can  bear  hun- 
ger for  a  very  long  time.  We  have  an  inftance,  in  the  memoirs 

*  To  th!s  clcfcription  I  \vill  beg  leave  to  add  a  few  particulars  fromLJnn.TMis, 
as  I  ilnd  them  in  the  original.  Vomit Qa  gramina  purgntur:  cacat  fupra  iapi- 
<km.  Album  gra-cum  antifc-pticum  fummum.  TvTmgiiad  latus  (this,  however^ 
not  till  ti.e  iii.i.ualio  nine  months  o!d)  cum  Lofpite  fa-pe  centies.  Odoratanunt 
aittrius.  Procis  rixaa'Jbus  crv.udis.  Mcni'truans  coit  cuiii  v^riis.  Mordct 
ilia  illos.  Cch.vict  copuki  jantlus. 

*  HalTcl.iuift  Her.  Palwftiu,  p.  232, 


DOGKIND.  177 

of  the  Academy  of  Sciences,  of  this  kind,  in  which  a  bitch  that 
liad  been  forgotten  in  a  country-houfe,  lived  forty  days,  with- 
out any  other  nourilliment  than  the  wool  of  a  quilt  which  (he 
had  torn  in  pieces.  It  fhould  feem  that  water  is  more  neceflary 
to  the  dog  than  food  ;  he  drinks  often,  though  not  abundantly  : 
and  it  is  commonly  believed,  that  when  abridged  in  water,  he 
runs  mad.  This  dreadful  malady,  the  confequeilces  of  which 
are  fo  well  known,  is  the  greateft  inconvenience  that  refults 
from  the  keeping  this  faithful  domeftic.  But  it  is  a  diforder  by 
no  means  fo  frequent  as  the  terrors  of  the  timorous  would  fup- 
pofe  ;  the  dog  has  been  often  accufed  of  madnefs,  without  a 
fair  trial ;  and  fome  perfons  have  been  fuppofed  to  receive  their 
deaths  from  his  bite,  when  either  their  own  ill-grounded  fears, 
or  their  natural  diforders,  were  the  true  caufe. 

THE        WOLF. 

THE  dog  and  the  wolf  are  fo  very  much  alike  internally, 
that  the  moil  expert  anatomifts  can  fcarce  perceive  the  differ- 
ence ;  and  it  may  be  aflerted  alfo,  that,  externally,  fome  dogs 
more  nearly  referable  the  wolf  than  they  do  each  other.  It  was 
this  ftrong  fimilitude  that  firft  led  fome  naturalifts  to  confider 
them  as  the  fame  animal,  and  to  look  upon  the  wolf  as  the  dog 
in  its  ft  ate  of  favage  freedom  :  however,  this  opinion  is  enter- 
tained no  longer ;  the  natural  antipathy  thofe  two  animals  bear 
to  each  other  ;  the  longer  time  which  the  wolf  goes  with  young 
than  the  dog,  the  one  going  over  a  hundred  days,  and  the  other 
not  quite  fixty;  the  longer  period  of  1'fe  in  the  former  than  the 
latter,  the  wolf  living  twenty  years,  the  dog  not  fifteen  ;  all 
fufficiently  point  out  a  diftinttion,  and  draw  a  line  that  muft 
for  ever  keep  them  afunder. 

The  wolf,  from  the  tip  of  the  nofe,  to  the  infertion  of  the 
tail,  is  about  three  feet  feven  inches  long,  and  about  two  feet 
five  inches  high  ;  which  (hows  him  to  be  larger  than  our  great 
breed  of  maftifis,  which  are  feldom  found  to  be  above  three 
feet  by  two.  His  colour  is  a  mixture  of  black,  brown,  and  grey, 
extremely  rough  and  hard,  but  mixed  towards  the  roots  with 

VOL.  IL  Z 


ANIMALS  OF  f  HE 

a  kind  of  afh-coloured  fur.  In  comparing  him  to  any  of  otif 
well-known  breed  of  dogs,  the  great  Dane,  or  mongrel  grey- 
Jjfcund,  for  inftance,  he  will  appear  to  have  the  legs  (llorter, 
the  head  larger,  the  muzzle  thicker,  the  eyes  fmaller  and  more 
feparated  from  each  other,  and  the  ears  fhorter  and  ftraiter, 
He  appears,  in  every  refpecr.,  ftronger  than  the  dog  •,  and  the 
length  of  his  hair  contributes  ftill  more  t0  his  robuft  appear- 
ance. The  feature  which  principally  diftinguifhes  the  vifage  of 
the  wolf  from  that  of  the  dog,  is  the  eye,  which  opens  ilanting- 
ly  upwards,  in  the  fame  direction  with  the  nofe ;  whereas,  in 
the  dog,  it  opens  more  at  right  angles  with  the  nofe,  as  in  man. 
The  tail  alfo,  in  this  animal,  is  long  and  bulhy  j  and  he  car- 
ries it  rather  more  between  his  hind  legs  than  the  dog  is  feen 
to  do.  The  colour  of -the  eye-balls  in  the  wolf  are  of  a  fiery- 
green,  and  give  his  vifage  a  fierce  and  formidable  air,  which 
his  natural  difpofitian  doesj>y  no  means  contradict*. 

The  wolf  is  one  of  thofe  animals  whofe  appetite  for  animal 
food  is  the  moft  vehement ;  and  whofe  means  of  fatisfying  this 
appetite  are  the  moft  various.  Nature  has  furnifhed  him  with 
ftrength,  cunning,  agility,  and  all  thofe  requifites  which  fit  an 
animal  for  purfuing,  overtaking,  and  conquering  its  prey  ;  and 
yet,"  with  all  thefe,  the  wolf  moft  frequently  dies  of  hunger, 
for  he  is  the  declared  enemy  of  man.  Being  long  proscribed, 
and  a  reward  offered  for  his  head,  he  is  obliged  to  fly  from  hu- 
man habitations,  and  to  live  in  the  foreft,  where  the  few  wild 
animals  to  be  found  there,  efcape  him  either  by  their  fwiftnefs 
or  their  art-,  or  are  fupplied  in  too  fmall  a  proportion  to  fatisfy 
his  rapacity.  He  is  naturally  dull  and  cowardly ;  but  frequent- 
ly difappointed,  and  as  often  reduced  to  the  verge  of  famine, 
he  becomes  ingenuous  from  want,  and  courageous  from  ne*- 
ceffity.  When  prefled  with  hunger,  he  braves  danger,  and 
comes  to  attack  thofe  animals  which  are  under  the  protection 
of  man,  particularly  fuch  as  he  can  readily  carry  away, 
lambs,  flicep,  or  even  dogs  themfelves,  for  all  animal  food  be*- 
comcs  then  equally  agreeable.  When  this.excurfion  has  fuc- 

*  The  reft  of  this  hiilory  of  the  wolf  is  taken  from  mr.  Buffon,  and  I  look 
upon  it  as  a  complete  model  fbr  natural  hittory,  If  I  add  or  dirter,  I  mark  it  a* 
HfuaK 


DOG  KIND. 

seeded,  he  often  returns  to  the  charge,  until,  having  been 
wounded  or  hard  preffed  by  the  dogs,  or  the  fhepherds,  he 
hides  himfelf  by  day  in  the  thickefl  coverts,  and  only  ventures 
out  at  night;  he  then  faliies  forth  over  the  country,  keeps  peer- 
ing round  the  villages,  carries  off  fuch  animals  as  are  not  un- 
der protection,  attacks  the  fheep-folds,  fcratches  up  and  under- 
mines the  thresholds  of  doors  where  they  are  houfed,  enters 
furious,  and  deftroys  all  before  he  begins  to  fix  upon  and  carry 
off  his  prey.  When  thefe  faliies  do  not  fucceed,  he  then  re- 
turns to  the  thickefl  part  of  the  foreft,  content  to  purfue  thofe 
fmaller  animals,  whicji,  even  when  taken,  afford  him  but  a  fcan- 
ty  fupply.  He  there  goes  regularly  to  work,  follows  by  the 
fc.ent,  opens  to  the  view,  ftill  keeps  following,  hopelefs  himfelf 
of  overtaking  the  prey,  but  expecting  that  fome  other  wolf  will 
come  in  to  his  affiftance,  and  then  content  to  fhare  the  fpoil. 
At  laft,  when  his  neceffities  are  very  urgent,  he  boldly  faces 
certain  deftruction ;  he  attacks  women  and  children,  and  fome- 
times  ventures  even  to  fall  upon  men  ;  becomes  furious  by  his 
continual  agitations,  and  ends  his  life  in  madnefs. 

The  wolf,  as  well  externally  as  internally,  fo  nearly  refembhs 
the  dog,  that  he  feems  modelled  upon  the  fame  plan;  and  yet 
he  only  offers  the  reverfe  of  the  medal.  If  his  form  be  like,  his  na- 
ture is  fo  different,  that  he  only  preferves  the  ill  qualities  of  the 
dog,  without  any  of  his  good  ones.  Indeed,  they  are  fo  differ- 
ent in  their  difpofitions,  that  no  two-  animals  can  have  a  more 
perfect  antipathy  to  each  other.  A  young  dog  fhudders  at  the 
fight  of  a  wolf ;  he  even  fhuns  his  fcent,  which,  though  un- 
known, is  fo  repugnant  to  his  nature,  that  he  comes  trembling 
to  take  protection  near  his  mafter.  A  dog  who  is  ftronger,  and 
who  knows  his  ftrength,  briftles  up  at  the  fight,  teflifies  his 
animofity,  attacks  him  with  courage,  endeavours  to  put  him  to 
flight,  and  does  all  in  his  power  to  rid  himfelf  of  a  prefence 
that  is  hateful  to  him.  They  never  meet  without  either  flying  or 
fighting;  fighting  for  life  and  death,  and  without  mercy  on 
either  fide.  If  the  wolf  is  the  ftronger,  he  tears  and  devours 
his  prey  :  the  dog,  on  the  contrary,  is  more  generous,  and  con- 
tents himfelf  with  his  victory  ;  he  does  not  feem  to  think  that 


i8o  ANIMALS   OF   THE 

the  body  of  a  dead  enemy  f metis  ?tr//;  he  leaves  him  where  h& 
falls,  to  ferve  as  food  for  birds  of  prey,  or  for  other  wolves,  fince 
they  devour  each  other  ;  and  when  one  wolf  happens  to  be 
defperately  wounded,  the  reft  track  him  by  his  blood,  and  are 
fure  to  (how  him  no  mercy. 

The  dog,  even  in  his  favage  ftate,  is  not  cruel;  he  is  eafily  tam- 
ed, and  continues  firmly  attached  to  his  matter.  The  wolf,  when 
taken  young,  becomes  tame,  but  never  has  an  attachment;  na- 
ture is  ftronger  in  him  than  education  ;  he  refumes,  with  age, 
his  natural  difpofitions,  and  returns,  as  foon  as  he  can,  to  the 
woods  from  \\hence  he  was  taken.  Dogs,  even  of  the.  dullell 
kinds,  feek  the  company  of  other  animals ;  they  are  naturally 
difpofed  to  follow  and  accompany  other  creatures  befide  them- 
fclves ;  and,  even  by  inftincl:,  without  any  education,  take  to 
the  care  of  flocks  and  herds.  The  wolf,  on  the  contrary,  is  the 
enemy  of  all  fociety ;  he  does  not  even  keep  much  company 
\vith  thofe  of  his  kind.  When  they  are  feen  in  packs  to- 
gether, it  is  not  to  be  considered  as  a  peaceful  fociety,  but  a 
combination  for  war :  they  teflify  their  hoftile  intentions  by 
their  loud  bowlings;  and  by  their  iiercenefs,  difcover  a  project 
for  attacking  fome  great  animal,  fuch  a;  a  flag,  or  a  bull,  or 
to  deftroy  fome  more  redoubtable  watch-dog.  The  inftant  their 
military  expedition  is  completed,  their  fociety  is  at  an  end  ; 
they  then  part,  and  each  returns  in  filence  to  his  folitary  re- 
treat. There  is  not  even  any  ftrong  attachments  between  the 
male  and  female ;  they  feek  each  other  only  once  a  year,  and 
remain  but  a  few  days  together:  they  always  couple  in  winter  ; 
at  which  time  feveral  males  are  feen  following  one  female,  and 
this  afTociation  is  ftill  more  bloody  than  the  former  :  they  dif- 
pute  moft  cruelly,  growl,  bark,  fight,  and  tear  each  ether;  and, 
it  fometimes  happens,  that  the  majority  kill  the  wolf  which  has 
been  chiefly  preferred  by  the  female.  It  is  ufu  1  for  the  me 
wolf  to  fly  from  them  all  with  whom  me  has  chofen  ;  and 
watches  this  opportunity  when  the  reft  are  afleep. 

The  feafon  for  coupling  does  not  continue  above  twelve  or 
fifteen  days  ;  and  ufually  commences  among  the  oldeft,  thofe  . 


DOG  KIND.  181 

which  are  young  being  later  in  their  defires.  The  males  have 
no  fixed  time  for  engendering ;  they  pafs  from  one  female  to 
the  other,  beginning  at  the  end  of  December,  and  ending  at  the 
latter  e?id  of  February.  The  time  of  pregnancy  is  about  three 
months  and  a  half;  and  the  young  wolves  are  found  from  the 
latter  end  of  April  to  the  beginning  of  July.  The  long  conti- 
nuance of  the  wolf's  pregnacy  is  fufficient  to  make  a  diitinc- 
tion  between  it  and  the  dog,  did  not  alfo  the  fiery  fiercenefs  of 
the  eyes,  the  howl  inflead  of  barking,  and  the  greater  duration 
of  its  life,  leave  no  doubt  of  its  being  an  animal  of  its  own  par- 
ticular fpecies.  In  other  refpecb,  however,  they  are  entirely- 
alike;  the  wolf  couples  exactly  like  the  dog,  the  parts  are  form- 
ed in  the  fame  manner,  and  their  feparation  hindered  by  the 
fame  caufe.  When  the  (he-wolves  are  near  their  time  of  bring- 
ing forth,  they  feek  fome  very  tufted  fpot,  in  the  thickeft  part 
of  the  foreft  ;  in  the  middle  of  this  they  make  a  fmall  opening, 
cutting  away  the  thorns  and  briars  with  their  teeth,  and  after- 
wards carry  thither  a  great  quantity  of  mofs,  which  they  form 
into  a  bed  for  their  young  ones.  They  generally  bring  forth 
five  or  fix,  and  fornetimes  even  to  nine  at  a  litter.  The  cubs 
are  brought  forth,  like  thofe  of  the  bitch,  with  the  eyes  clofed  ; 
the  dam  fuckles  them  for  fome  weeks,  and  teaches  them  be- 
times to  eat  ilem,  which  fhe  prepares  for  them,  by  chewing  it 
firft  herfelf.  Some  time  after  fhe  brings  them  ftronger  food, 
hares,  partridges,  and  birds  yet  alive.  The  young  wolves  begin 
by  playing  with  them,  and  end  by  killing  them.  The  dam  then 
ftrips  them  of  their  feathers,  tears  them  in  pieces,  and  gives  to 
each  of  them  a  (hare.  They  do  not  leave  the  den  where  they 
have  been  littered,  till  they  are  fix  weeks,  or  two  months  old. 
They  then  follow  the  old  one,  who  leads  them  to  drink  to  the 
trunk  of  fome  old  tree  where  the  water  has  fettled,  or  at  fome 
pool  in  the  neighbourhood.  If  fhe  apprehends  any  danger,  (he 
inftantly  conceals  them  in  the  firft  convenient  place,  or  brings 
them  back  to  their  former  retreat.  In  this  manner,  they  follow 
her  for  fome  months-,  when  they  are  attacked,  fhe  defends  them 
with  all  her  ftrength,  and  more  than  ufual  ferocity.  Although, 
at  other  times,  more  timorous  than  the  male,  at  that  feafon  fhe 


i«±  ANIMALS   OF    THE 

becomes  bold  and  fearlefs  ;  willing  perhaps  to  teach  the  young 
ones  future  courage  by  her  own  example.  It  is  not  till  they  are 
about  ten  or  twelve  months  old,  and  until  they  have  (lied  their 
firft  teeth,  and  completed  the  new,  that  fhe  thinks  them  in  % 
capacity  to  fhift  for  themfelves.  Then  when  they  have  acquir-* 
ed  arms  from  nature,  and  have  learned  induftry  and  courage, 
from  her  example,  fhe  declines  all  future  care  of  them,  being 
again  engaged  in  bringing  up  a  new  progeny. 

The  males  and  females  are  in  a  capacity  to  engender  when 
two  years  old.  It  is  probable  that  the  females  of  this  fpecies,  as 
well  as  of  mod  others,  are  fooner  completed  than  the  males ; 
but  this  is  certain,  that  they  never  defire  to  copulate  un-til  their 
fecond  winter  ;  from  whence  we  may  fuppofe  that  they  live 
fifteen  or  twenty  years;  for,  allowing  three  years  for  their  com- 
plete growth,  this  multiplied  by  feven,  gives  them  a  life  of 
twenty-one ;  moft  animals,  as  has  been  obferved,  living  about 
feven  times  the  number  of  years  which  they  take  to  come  to 
perfection.  Of  this,  however,  there  is  as  yet  no  certainty,  no 
more  than  of  what  himtfmen  afTert,  that,  in  all  the  litters,  there 
are  more  males  than  females.  From  them  alfo  we  learn  that 
there  are  fome  of  .the  males  who  attach  themfelves  to  the  fe- 
male, who  accompany  her  during  her  geftation,  until  the  time 
of  bringing  forth,  when  fhe  hides  the  place  of  her  retreat  from 
the  male,  left  he  (hould  devour  her  cubs.  But  after  this,  when 
they  are  brought  forth,  that  he  then  takes  the  fame  care  of  them 
as  the  female,  carries  them  provifions,  and,  if  the  dam  fliould 
happen  to  be  killed,  rears  them  up  in  her  ftead. 

The  wolf  grows  grey  as  he  grows  old,  and  his  teeth  wear,  like 
thofe  of  moft  other  animals,  by  ufing.  He  Oeeps  when  his  belly- 
is  full,  or  when  he  is  fatigued,  rather  by  day  than  night ;  and: 
always,  like  the  dog,  is  veryeafily  waked.  He  drinks  frequent- 
ly ;  and,  in  times  of  draught,  when  there  is  no  water  to  be  found 
in  the  trunks  of  old  trees,  or  in  the  pools  about  the  foreft,  he 
comes  often,  in  the  day,  to  the  brooks,  or  the  lakes  in  the  plain. 
Although  very  voracious,  he  fupports  hunger  for  a  long  time, 
and  often  lives  four  or  five  days  without  food,  provided  he  be 
fupplied  with  water.. 


DOG  KIND.  183 

The  wolf  has  great  ftrength,  particularly  in  his  fore -parts, 
in  the  mufcles  of  his  neck  and  his  jaws.  He  carries  off  a  ilieep 
in  his  mouth  without  letting  it  touch  the  ground,  and  runs 
with  it  much  fwifter  than  the  fhepherds  who  purfue  him ;  fo 
that  nothing  but  the  dogs  can  overtake,  and  oblige  him  to  quit 
his  prey.  He  bites  cruelly,  and  always  with  greater  vehemence 
in  proportion  as  he  is  lead  refilled  ;  for  he  ufes  precautions 
with  fuch  animals  as  attempt  to  Hand  upon  the  detenu  ve.  He 
is  ever  cowardly,  and  never  fights  but  when  under  a  neceffity  of 
fatisfying  hunger,  or  making  good  his  retreat.  When  he  is 
wounded  by  a  bullet,  he  is  heard  to  cry  ou^  and  yet,  wheri 
furrounded  by  the  peafants,  and  attacked  witn  clubs,  he  never 
howls  as  the  dog  under  correction,  but  defends  himfelf  in 
filence,  and  dies  as  hard  as  he  lived. 

His  nature  is,  in  facl,  more  favage  than  that  of  the  dog  ;  he 
has  lefs  fenfsbility  and  greater  ftrength.  He  travels,  runs,  and 
keeps  plundering  for  whole  days  and  nights  together.  He  is  in 
a  manner  indefatigable;  and,  perhaps,  of  all  animals,  he  is  the 
mod  difficult  to  be  hunted  down.  The  dog  is  good  natured  and 
courageous ;  the  wolf,  though  favage,  is  ever  fearful.  If  he 
happens  to  be  caught  in  a  pit-fall,  he  is  for  fome  time  fo 
frightened  and  aftonifhed,  that  he  may  be  killed  without  offer- 
ing to  refift,  or  taken  alive  without  much  danger.  At  that  in- 
ftant,  one  may  clap  a  collar  round  his  neck,  muzzle  him,  and 
drag  him  along,  without  his  ever  giving  the  leaft  figns  of  anger 
or  refentment.  At  all  other  times  he  has  his  fenfes  in  great  per- 
fection ;  his  eye,  his  ear,  and  particularly  his  fenfe  of  fmelling, 
which  is  even  fuperior  to  the  two  former.  He  fmells  a  carcafe 
at  more  than  a  league's  diftance ;  he  alfo  perceives  living  ani- 
mals a  great  way  off,  and  follows  them  a  long  time  upon  the 
fcent.  Whenever  he  leaves  the  wood,  he  alwaytakescaretogoout 
againft  the  wind.  Whenjuft  come  to  its  extremity,  he  flops 
to  examine,  by  his  fmell,  on  all  fides,  the  emanations  that  may 
come  either  from  his  enemy  or  his  prey,  which  he  very  nicely 
diftinguifhes.  He  prefers  thofe  animals  which  he  kills  himfelf, 
to  thofe  he  finds  dead  ;  and  yet  he  does  not  difdain  thefe  when 
80  better  U  to  be  had.  He  is  particularly  fond  of  human  flefh  j 


ANIMALS  OF  THE 

and,  perhaps,  if  he  was  fufficiently  powerful,  he  would  eat 
no  other.  Wolves  have  been  feen  following  armies,  and  arriv- 
ing in  numbers  upon  the  field  of  battle,  where  they  devoured 
fuch  dead  bodies  as  were  left  upon  the  field,  or  but  negligent- 
ly interred.  Thefe,  when  once  accuftomed  to  human  flefh, 
ever  afteY  feek  particularly  to  attack  mankind,  and  choofe  to 
fall  upon  the  fhepherd  rather  than  his  flock.  We  have  had  a 
late  inftance  of  two  or  three  of  thefe  keeping  a  whole  province, 
for  more  than  a  month,  in  a  continual  alarm. 

It  fometimes  happens  that  a  whole  country  is  called  out  to 
extirpate  thefe  moft  dangerous  invaders.  The  hunting  the  wolf 
is  a  favourite  diverfion  among  the  great  of  fome  countries  j  and, 
it  muft  be  confefled,  it  feems  to  be  the  moft  ufeful  of  any. 
Thefe  animals  are  diftinguifhed  by  the  huntfmen  into  the 
you  fig  ivolf,  the  old  ivolf)  and  the  great  wolf*  They  are  known 
by  the  prints  of  their  feet ;  the  older  the  wolf,  the  larger  the 
track  he  leaves.  That  of  the  female  is  narrower  and  longer  than 
that  of  the  male.  It  is  neceflary  to  have  a  very  good  ftarter  to 
put  up  the  wolf ;  and  it  is  even  convenient  to  ufe  every  art  to 
encourage  him  in  his  purfuit  j  for  all  dogs  have  a  natural  re- 
pugnance againft  this  animal,  and  are  but  cold  in  their  endea- 
vours. When  the  wolf  is  once  put  up,  it  is  then  proper  to  have 
grey-hounds  to  let  fly  at  him,  in  leaihes,  one  'after  the  other. 
The  firft  learn  is  fent  after  him  in  the  beginning,  feconded  by 
a  man  on  horfe-back  ;  the  fecond  are  let  loofe  about  half  a 
mile  farther,  and  the  third  when  the  reft  of  the  dogs  come  up 
with,  and  begin  to  bait  him.  He  for  a  long  time"  keeps  them 
off,  ftands  his  ground,  threatens  them  on  all  fides,  and  often 
gets  away  ;  but  ufually  the  hunters  arriving,  come  in  aid  of  the 
dogs,  and  help  to  difpatch  him  with  their  cutlafles.  When  the 
animal  is  killed,  the  dogs  teftify  no  appetite  to  enjoy  their  vic- 
tory, but  leave  him  where  he  falls,  a  frightful  fpectacle,  and 
even  in  death  hideous. 

The  wolf  is  fometimes  alfo  hunted  with  harriers  ;  but  as  he 
always  goes  ftraight  forward,  and  often  holds  his  fpeed  for  a 
whole  day  together,  this  kind  of  chace  is  tedious  and  difagree- 


DOG  KIND.  185 

able,  at  leaft  if  the  harriers  are  not  aflifted  by  grey -hounds,  who 
may  harrafs  him  at  every  view.  Several  other  arts  have  been 
ufed  to  take  and  deftroy  this  noxious  animal.  He  is  (unrounded 
and  wounded  by  men  and  large  houfe  dogs ;  he  is  fecured  in 
traps  ;  he  is  poiibned  by  carcafes  prepared  and  placed  for  that 
purpofe,  and  is  caught  in  pit-falls.  "  Gefner  tells  us  of  a  friar, 
a  woman,  and  a  wolf,  being  taken  in  one  of  thefe,  all  in  the 
fame  night.  The  woman  loft  her  fenfes  with  the  fright,  the 
friar  his  reputation,  and  the  wolf  his  life."  All  thefe  difaftefs, 
however,  do  not  prevent  this  animal's  multiplying  in  great 
numbers,  particularly  in  countries  where  the  woods  are  plenty. 
France,  Spain,  and  Italy,  are  greatly  infefted  with  them  ;  but 
England,  Ireland,  and  Scotland  are  happily  fet  free. 

King  Edgar  is  faid  to  be  the  firft  who  attempted  to  rid  this 
kingdom  of  fuch  difagreeable  inmates,  by  commuting  the  pu- 
nimment  for  certain  crimes  into  the  acceptance  of  a  number 
of  wolf's  tongues  from  each  criminal.*  However,  fome  cen- 
turies after,  thefe  animals  were  again  increafed  to  fuch  a  de- 
gree, as  to  become  the  object  of  royal  attention  ;  accordingly, 
Edward  the  firft  iffiied  out  his  mandate  to  one  Peter  Corbet, 
to  fuperintend  and  aflift  in  the  deftruction  of  them.  They  are 
faid  to  have  infefted  Ireland  long  after  they  were  extirpated  irt 
England  ;  however,  the  oldeft  men  in  that  country  remember 
nothing  of  thefe  animals ;  and,  it  is  probable,  that  there  have 
been  none  there  for  more  than  a  century  paft.  Scotland  alfo  is 
totally  free. 

The  colour  of  this  animal  differs  according  to  the  different 
climates  where  it  is  bred,  and  often  changes  even  in  the  fame 
country.  Befide  the  common  wolves,  which  are  found  in, 
France  and  Germany,  there  are  others  with  thicker  hair,  in- 
clining to  yellow.  Thefe  are  more  favlige  and  lefs  noxious 
than  the  former,  neither  approaching  the  flocks  nor  habitations, 
and  living  rather  by  the  cliace  than  rapine.  In  the  northern  cli- 
mates, they  are  found  fome  quite  black,  and  fome  white  all 
over.  The  former  are  larger  and  ftronger  than  thofe  of  any 
other  kinds. 

*  Britifli  Zoology,  p.  62. 

VOL.  II.  2  A 


i*6  ANIMALS  OF  THE 

The  fpecies  is  very  much  diffufed  in  every  part  of  the 
being  found  in  Afia,  Africa,  and  in  America,  as  well  as  Eu- 
rope. The  wolves  of  Senegal  refemble  thofe  of  France,  except 
that  they  are  larger  and  much  fiercer  than  thofe  of  Europe. 
Thofe  of  Egypt  are  fmaller  than  thofe  of  Greece.  In  the  eaft,, 
the  wolf  is  trained  up  for  a  fbow,  being  taught  to  dance  and 
play  tricks;  and  one  of  thefe,  thus  educated,  often  fells  for  four 
or  five  hundred  crowns.  "  It  is  faid  that  in  Lapland  the  wolf 
will  never  attack  a  rein-deer  that  is  feen  haltered ;  for  this 
wary  animal,  being  well  acquainted  with  the  nature  of  a  trap, 
fufpecls  one  wherever  it  perceives  a  rope.  However,  when 
he  fees  the  deer  entirely  at  liberty,  he  feldom  fails  to  deftroy  it. 

"  The  wolf  of  North- America  is  blacker  and  much  lefs 
than  thofe  in  other  parts  of  the  world,  and  approaches  nearer 
in  form  to  the  dog  than  thofe  of  the  ordinary  kind.*  In  facl:, 
they  were  made  ufe  of  as  fuch  by  the  favages,  till  the  Europeans 
introduced  others  j  and  even  now,  on  the  remoter  mores,  or 
the  more  inland  parts  of  the  country,  the  favages  ftill  make 
ufe  of  thefe  animals  in  hunting.  They  are  very  tame  and  gen- 
tle ;  and  thofe  of  this  kind  that  are  wild,  are  neither  fo  large 
nor  fo  fierce  as  an  European  wolf,  nor.  do  they  ever  attack 
mankind.  They  go  together  in  large  packs  by  night  to  hunt 
the  deer,  which  they  do  as  well  as  any  dogs  in  England  ;  and 
it  is  confidently  aiferted,  that  one  of  them  is  fufficient  to  run 
down  a  deer.f  Whenever  they  are  feen  along  the  banks  of 
thofe  rivers  near  which  the  wandering  natives  pitch  their  huts, 
it  is  taken  for  granted  that  the  bifon  or  the  deer  are  not  far  offj 
and  the  favages  affirm,  that  the  wolves  come  v;ith  the  tidings, 
in  order  to  have  the  garbage,  after  the  animal  has  been  killed 
by  the  hunters.  Ca^fby  adds  a  circumftance  relative  to  thefe 
animals,  which,  if  true,  invalidates  many  of  mr.  Buffon's  ob- 
fervations  in  the  foregoing  hiftory.  He  afferts,  that  thefe  being 
the  only  dogs  ufed  by  the  Americans,  before  the  arrival  of  the 
Europeans  among  them,  they  have  fince  engendered  together, 
that  their  breed  has  become  prolific  j  which  proves  the 

*  Brookcs's  Natural  Hiftory,  vol.  i.  p.  198, 

t  tictivmke  Jtetfotice*  Loup, 


XX 


Vol.  11. J 


taj 


DOG  KIND.  1.87 

,dog  and  t"he  wolf  to  be  the  fame  fpecies.  It  were  to  be  wifhed 
that  this  fa£t  were  better  afcertained  ;  we  fhculd  then  know, 
to  a  certainty,  in  what  a  degree  the  dog  and  wolf  refemble 
each  other,  as  well  in  nature  as  in  conformation  ;  we  might 
then,  perhaps,  be  enabled  to  improve  the  breed  of  our  dogs, 
by  bringing  them  back  to  their  native  forms  and  inftin&s  ; 
we  might,  by  croffing  the  ftrain,'  reftore  that  race  of  thofe  bold 
animals,  which  the  ancients  afliire  us  were  more  than  a  match 
for  the  lion." 

However  this  animal  may  be  ufeful  in  North- America,  the 
wolf  of  Europe  is  a  very  noxious  animal,  and  fcarce  any  thing 
belonging  to  him  is  good,  excep  this  (kin.  Of  this,  the  furriers 
make  a  covering  that  is  warm  and  durable,  though  coarfe  and 
unfightly.  His  flefhisvery  indifferent,  and  feems  to  be  difliked 
by  all  other  animals,  no  other  creature  being  known  to  eat  the 
wolf's  fiefh  except  the  wolf  himfelf.  He  breathes  a  moft  foetid 
vapour  from  his  jaws,  as  his  food  is  indifcriminate,  often  pu- 
tred,  and  feldom  cleanly.  In  fhort,  every  way  offenfive,  a  fa- 
vage  afpedl:,  a  frightful  howl,  an  imfupportable  odour,  a  per- 
verfe  difpofition,  fierce  habits,  he  is  hateful  while  living  and 
ufelefs  when  dead. 

THE     FOX. 

THE  fox  very  exactly  refembles  the  wolf  and  the  dog  in- 
ternally -,  and,  although  he  differs  greatly  from  both  in  fize  and 
carriage,  yet  when  we  come  to  examine  his  fhapes  minutely, 
there  will  appear  to  be  very  little  difference  in  the  defcription. 
Were,  for  inftance,  a  painter  to  draw  from  a  natural  hiftorian's 
exadteft  defcription,  the  figure  of  a  dog,  a  wolf  and  a  fox, 
without  having  ever  feen  either,  he  would  be  very  apt  to  con- 
found all  thefe  animals  together  ;  or  rather,  he  would  be  una- 
ble to  catch  thofe  peculiar  out-lines  that  no  defeription  can 
fupply.  Words  will  never  give  any  perfon  an  exacl  idea  of 
forms  any  way  irregular  ;  for,  although  they  be  extremely  juft 
and  precife,  yet  the  numberleis  difcriminations  to  be  attended 
to,  will  confound  each  other,  «and  we  mall  no  more  conceive 
die  precife  form,  than  we  fhould  b*e  able  to  tell  ^vhfcn  onepeb- 


iSS  ANIMALS    OF   THE 

ble  more  was  added  or  taken  away  from  a  thoufand.  To  con-; 
ceive,  therefore,  how  the  fox  differs  in  form  from  the  wolf  or 
the  dog,  it  is  neceffary  to  fee  all  three,  or  at  leafl  to  fupply  the 
defers  of  defcription  by  examining  the  difference  in  a  print. 

The  fox  is  of  a  flenderer  make  than  the  wolf,  and  not  near 
fo  large  ;  for,  as  the  former  is  above  three  feet  and  a  haii 
long,  fo  the  other  is  not  above  two  feet  three  inches.  The  tail 
of  the  fox,  alfo,  is  longer  in  proportion,  and  more  bufhy  ;  its 
nofe  is  fmaller,  and  approaching  more  nearly  to  that  of 
the  grey-hound,  and  its  hair  fofter.  On  the  other  hand,  it  dif- 
fers from  the  dog  in  having  its  eyes  obliquely  fmiated,  like 
thofe  of  the  wolf ;  its  ears  are  directed  alfo  in  the  fame  man- 
ner as  thofe  of  the  wolf,  and  its  head  is  equally  large  in  pro- 
portion to  its  fize,  It  differs  ftill  more  from  the  dog  in  its  ftrong 
offenfive  fmell,  which  is  peculiar  to  the  fpecies,  and  often  the 
caufe  of  their  death.  However,  fome  are  ignorantly  of  opinion 
that  it  will  keep  off  infectious  difeafes,  and  they  preferve  this 
animal  near  their  habitations  for  that  very  purpofe. 

The  fox  has  fince  the  beginning  been  famous  for  his  cunning 
and  his  arts,  and  he  partly  merits  his  reputation*.  Without  at« 
tempting  to  oppofe  either  the  dogs  or  the  fhepherds,  without 
attacking  the  flock,  or  alarming  the  village,  he  finds  an  eafier 
way  to  fubfifl,  and  gains,  by  his  addrefs,  what  is  denied  to  his 
ftrength  or  courage.  Patient  and  prudent,  he  waits  the  oppor- 
tunity of  depredation,  and  varies  his  conduct  with  every  occa- 
fion.  His  whole  ftudy  is  his  prefervation ;  although  nearly  as 
indefatigable,  and  actually  more  fwift  than  the  wolf,  he  does 
not  entirely  truft  to  either,  but  makes  himfelf  an  afylum,  to 
which  he  retires  in  cafe  of  neceffity  ;  where  he  flickers  himfelf 
from  danger,  and  brings  up  his  young. 

As  among  men,  thofe  who  lead  a  domeflic  life  are  more  civi- 
lized and  more  endued  with  wifdon  than  thofe  who  wander  from 
place  to  place,  fo,  in  the  inferior  ranks  of  animated  nature, 
the  taking  poffeffion  of  a  home,  fuppofes  a  degree  of  inftinct 
which  others  are  \vithoutf.  The  choice  of  the  fituation  for  thif; 

*  Euffoo,  Rcnard.  f  Ibid, 


DOG    KIND. 

domici!,  the  art  of  making  it  convenient,  of  hiding  its  entrance, 
and  fecuring  it  againft  more  powerful  animals,  are  all  fo  many 
marks  of  fuperior  ikili  and  induftry.  The  fox  is  furnifhed  with 
both,  and  turns  them  to  his  advantage.  He  generally  keeps  his 
kennel  at  the  edge  of  the  wood,  and  yet  within  an  eafy  jour- 
ney of  fome  neighbouring  cottage.  From  thence  he  liftens  to 
the  crowing  of  the  cock,  and  the  cackling  of  the  dorneilic  fowls. 
He  fcents  them  at  a  diftance ;  he  feizes  his  opportunity,  con- 
ceals his  approaches,  creeps  flily  along,  makes  the  attack,  and 
feldom  returns  without  his  booty.  If  he  be  able  to  get  into 
the  yard,  he  begins  by  levelling  all  the  poultry  without  remorfe, 
and  carrying  off  a  part  of  the  fpoil,  hides  it  at  fome  conveni- 
ent diftance,  and  again  returns  to  the  charge.  Taking  off 
another  fowl  in  the  fame  manner,  he  hides  that  alfo,  but  not 
in  the  fame  place  ;  and  this  he  pra&ifes  for  feveral  times  to- 
gether, until  the  approach  of  day,  or  the  noife  of  the  domef- 
tics,  give  him  warning  to  retire.  The  fame  arts  are  pra&ifed 
when  he  finds  birds  entangled  in  fpringes  laid  for  them  by  the 
fowler  ;  the  fox  takes  care  to  be  beforehand,  very  expertly 
takes  the  bird  out  of  the  fnare,  hides  it  for  three  or  four  days, 
and  knows  very  exaclly  when  and  where  to  return,  to  avail 
himfelf  of  hidden  treafurc.  He  is  equally  alert  in  feizing  the 
young  hares  and  rabbits,  before  they  have  ftrength  enough  to 
efcape  him,  and  when  the  old  ones  are  wounded  and  fatigued, 
he  is  fure  to  come  upon  them  in  their  moments  of  diftrefs, 
and  to  mow  them  no  mercy.  In  the  fame  manner  he  finds 
out  birds'  nefts,  feizes  the  partridge  and  the  quail  while  fitting, 
and  deftroys  .a  large  quantity  of  game.  The  wolf  is  moft  hurt- 
ful to  the  peafanty  but  the  fox  to  the  gentleman.  In  fhort, 
nothing  that  can  be  eaten  feems  to  come  amifs  •,  rats,  mice, 
ferpents,  toads,  and  lizards.  He  will,  when  urged  by  hunger, 
eat  vegetables  and  infects  j  and  thofe  that  live  near  the  fea- 
coafts,  will,  for  want  of  other  food,  eat  crabs,  fhrimps,  and 
fhell-fim.  The  hedge-hog  in  vain  rolls  itfelf  up  into  a  ball  to 
oppofe  him  ;  this  determined  glutton  teizes  it  until  it  is  oblig- 
ed to  appear  uncovered,  and  then  he  devours  it.  The  wafp  and 
the  wild  bee  are  attacked  with  equal  fucceis.  Although  at  firft 


*9o  ANIMALS    OF   THE 

they  fly  out  upon  their  invader,  and  actually  oblige  him  to  re- 
tire, this  is  but  for  a  few  minutes,  until  he  has  rolled  himfelf  up- 
on the  ground,  and  thus  cruihed  fuch  as  ftick  to  his  {kin  ;  he 
then  returns  to  the  charge;  and  at  laft,  by  perfeverance,  obliges 
them  to  abandon  their  combs;  which  he  greedily  devours,  both 
wax  and  honey. 

The  chace  of  the  fox  requires  lefs  preparation  than  that  of 
the  wolf,  and  it  is  alfo  more  pleafant  and  amufing.  As  dogs 
have  a  natural  repugnance  to  purfue  the  wolf,  fo  they  are 
equally  alert  in  following  the  fox  ;  which  chace  they  prefer 
even  to  that  of  the  hare  or  the  buck.  The  huntfmen,  as  upon 
other  occafions,  have  their  cant  terms  for  every  part  of  this 
chace.  The  fox  the  firfl  year  is  called  a  cub  ;  the  fecond,  a 
fox  ;  and  the  third,  an  old  fox  ;  his  tail  is  called  the  briift  or 
drag,  and  his  excrement  the  billlting.  He  is  ufually  purfued 
by  a  large  kind  of  harrier  or  hound,  affifted  by  tarriers  or  a 
fmaller  breed,  that  follow  him  into  his  kennel,  and  attack 
him  there.  The  inftant  he  perceives  himfelf  purfued,  he  makes 
to  his  kennel,  and  takes  refuge  at  the  bottom  of  it,  where, 
for  a  while,  he  lofes  the  cry  of  his  enemies  ;  but  the  whole 
pack  coming  to  the  mouth,  redouble  their  vehemence  and 
rage,  and  the  little  tarrier  boldly  ventures  in.  It  often  hap- 
pens that  the  kennel  is  made  under  a  rock,  or  among  the  roots 
of  old  trees  ;  and  in  fuch  cafes,  the  fox  cannot  be  dug  out, 
nor  is  the  tarrier  able  to  contend  with  him  at  the  bottom  of 
his  hole.  By  this  contrivance  he  continues  fecure  ;  but  when 
he  can  be  dug  out,  the  ufual  way  is  to  carry  him  in  a  bag  to 
fome  open  country,  and  there  fet  him  loofe  before  the  hounds. 
•  The  hounds  and  the  men  follow,  barking  and  fhouting 
wherever  he  runs  ;  and  the  body  being  ftrongly  employed,  the 
mind  has  not  time  to  make  any  reflection  on  the  futility  of 
the  purfuit.  What  adds  to  this  entertainment  is  the  ftrong 
fcent  which  the  fox  leaves,  that  always  keeps  up  a  full  cry  ; 
although  as  his  fcent  is  ftronger  than  that  of  the  hare,  it  is 
much  fooner  evaporated.  His  (hifts  to  efcape,  when  all  retreat 
is  cut  off  to  his  kennel,  are  various  and  furprizing.  He  always 
choofes  the  moft  woody  country,  and  takes  thofe  paths  that 
are  moft  embarrafled  wiih  thorns  and  briars.  He  does  not  dou- 


DOG   KIND, 

ble,  nor  ufe  the  unavailing  ihifts  of  the  hare  ;  but  flies  in  a 
direct  line  before  the  hounds,  though  at  no  very  great  dif- 
tance  ;  manages  his  flrength  j  takes  to  the  low  and  plafhy 
grounds,  where  the  fcent  will  be  lefs  apt  to  lie  ;  and  at  laft, 
when  overtaken,  he  defends  himfelf  with  defperate  obftinacy, 
and  fights  in  filence  to  the  very  laft  gafp. 

The  fox,  though  refembling  the  dog  in  many  refpe&s,  is 
neverthelefs  very  diftinft  in  his  nature,  refufing  to  engender 
with  it ;  and  though  not  teftifying  the  antipathy  of  the  wolf, 
yet  difcovering  nothing  more  than  indifference.  This  animal 
alfo  brings  forth  fewer  at  a  time  than  the  dog,  and  that  but 
once  a  year.  Its  litter  is  generally  from  four  to  fix,  and  feldom 
lefs  than  three.  The  female  goes  with  young  about  fix  weeks,, 
and  feldom  flirs  out  while  pregnant,  but  makes  a  bed  for  her 
young,  and  takes  every  precaution  to  prepare  for  their  pro- 
duction. When  me  finds  the  place  of  their  retreat  difcovered, 
and  that  her  young  have  been  diflurbed  during  her  abfence, 
(he  removes  them  one  after  the  other  in  her  mouth,  and  en- 
deavours to  find  them  out  a  place  of  better  fecurity.  A  re- 
markable inftance  of  this  animal's  parental  affection  happen- 
ed while  I  was  writing  this  hiftory,  in  the  county  of  Eflex. 
A  {he-fox,  that  had,  as  k  mould  feem,  but  one  cub,  was  unken- 
nelled by  a  gentleman's  hounds,  near  Chelmsford,  and  hotly 
purfued.  In  fuch  a  cafe,  when  her  own  life  was  in  imminent 
peril,  one  would  think  it  was  not  a  time  to  confult  the  fafety 
of  her  young  ;  however,  the  poor  animal,  braving  every  dan- 
ger, rather  than  leave  her  cub  behind  to  be  worried  by  the 
dogs,  took  it  up  in  her  mouth,  and  ran  with  it  in  this  man- 
ner for  fome  miles.  At  laft,  taking  her  way  through  a  far- 
mer's yard,  {he  was  affaulted  by  a  maftiff,  and  at  laft  obliged 
to  drop  her  cub,  which  was  taken  up  by  the  farmer.  I  was- 
not  difpleafed  to  hear  that  this  faithful  creature  efcaped  the 
purfuit,  and  at  laft  got  off  in  fafety.  The  cubs  of  the  fox  are 
born  blind,  like  thofe  of  the  dog  -y  they  are  eighteen  months 
or  two  years  in  coming  to  perfection,  and  live  about  twelve 
or  fourteen  years. 


*S>*  ANIMALS  OF  THE 

As  the  fox  makes  war  upon  all  animals,  fo  all  others  fee>i>i 
to  make  war  upon  him.  The  dog  hunts  him  with  peculiar 
acrimony  ;  the  wolf  is  ftill  a  greater  and  more  neceffitous  ene- 
my, who  purfues  him  to  his  very  retreat.  Some  pretend  to 
fay,  that,  to  keep  the  wolf  away,  the  fox  lays  at  the  mouth  of 
its  kennel  a  certain  herb,  to  which  the  wolf  has  a  particular 
nverfion.  This,  which  no  doubt  is  a  fable,  at  lead  {hows  that 
thefe  two  animals  are  as  much  enemies  to  each  other  as  to  all 
the  reft  of  animated  nature.  But  the  fox  is  not  hunted  by 
quadrupeds  alone  ;  for  the  birds,  who  know  him  for  their 
mortal  enemy,  attend  him  in  his  excurfions,  and  give  each 
other  warning  of  their  approaching  danger.  The  daw,  the 
magpye,  and  the  black-bird  conduct  him  along,  perching  on 
the  hedges  as  he  creeps  below,  and  with  their  cries  and  notes 
of  hoftility,  apprize  all  other  animals  to  beware  ;  a  caution 
which  they  perfectly  underftand,  and  put  into  practice.  The 
hunters  themfelves  are  often  informed  by  the  birds  of  the  place 
of  his  retreat,  and  fet  the  dogs  into  thofe  thickets  where  they 
fee  them  particularly  noify  and  querulous.  So  that  it  is  the 
fate  of  this  petty  plunderer  to  be  detefted  by  every  rank  of 
animals  ;  all  the  weaker  daffes  fliun,  and  all  the  ftronger  pur-- 
fue  him. 

The  fox,  of  all  wild  animals,  is  moft  fubjedl:  to  the  influ- 
ence of  climate  ;  and  there  are  found  as  many  varieties  in  this 
kind,  almoil,  as  in  any  of  the  domeflic  animals*.  The  gene- 
rality of  foxes,  as  is  well  known,  are  red  -y  but  there  are  fome, 
though  not  in  England,  of  a  greyiih  call  ;  and  mr.  Buffon 
afierts,  that  the  tip  of  the  tail  in  all  foxes  is  white  ;  which, 
however,  is  not  fo  in  thofe  of  this  country.  There  are  only 
three  varieties  of  this  animal  in  Great-Britain,  and  thefe  are 
rather  eftablifned  upon  a  difference  of  fize  than  of  colour  or 
form.  The'grey-hound  fox  is  the  largeft,  tailed  and  boldeft  ; 
and  will  attack  a  grown  fheep.  The  maftiff-fox  is  lefs,  but 
more  ftrongly  built.  The  cur-fox  is  the  lead,  and  moft  com- 

I 

*  Buffon,  RcnarcL 


XXI  . 


Vol.1]../*/,/,- 


//I  ////// 


DOG  KIND.  19$ 

rnon  ;  he  lurks  about  hedges  and  out-houfes,  and  is  the  moft 
pernicious  of  the  three  to  the  peafarit  and  the  farmer. 

In  the  colder  countries  round  the  pole,  the  foxes  are  of  all 
colours  ;  black,  blue,  grey,  iron  grey,  filver  grey,  white,  white 
with  red  legs,  white  with  black  heads,  white  with  the  tip  of 
the  tail  black,  red  with  the  throat  and  belly  entirely  white, 
and  laftly,  with  a  ftripe  of  black  running  along  the  back,  and 
another  crofting  it  at  the  fhotilders*.  The  common  kind, 
however,  is  more  univerfally  diffufed  than  any  of  the  former, 
being  found  in  Europe,  in  the  temperate  climates  of  Afia, 
and  alfo  in  America  ;  they  are  very  rare  in  Africa,  and  in  the 
countries  lying  urder  the  torrid  zone.  Thofe  travellers  who 
talk  of  having  feen  them  at  Calicut,  and  other  parts  of 
Southern  India,  have  miftaken  the  jackal  for  the  fox.  The 
fur  of  the  white  fox  is  held  in  no  great  eflimation,  becaufe  the 
hair  ialls  off,  the  blue  fox-fkins  are  alfo  bought  up  with  great 
avidity,  from  their  fcarcenefs  *,  but  the  black  fox-fkin  is  of  all 
others  the  moil  efleemed,  a  fmgle  (kin  often  felling  for  forty  or 
fifty  crowns.  The  hair  of  thefe  are  fo  difpofed,  that  it  is  impofli- 
ble  to  tell  which  way  the  grain  lies;  for  if  we  hold  the  fkin  by 
the  head,  the  hair  hangs  to  the  tail,  and  if  we  hold  it  by  the 
tail,  it  hangs  do-.vn  equally  fmooth  and  even  to  the  head  Thefe 
are  often  made  into  men's  muffs,  and  are  at  once  very  beau- 
tiful and  warm.  In  our  temperate  climate,  however,  furs  are 
of  very  little  fervice,  there  being  fcarce  any  weather  fo  fe- 
vere  in  England,  from  which  our  ordinary  clothes  may  not 
very  well  defend  us. 


THE    JACKAL. 

THE  jackal  is  one  of  the  commoneft  wild  animals  in 
the  eaft ;  and  yet  there  is  fcarce  any  lefs  known  in  Europe,  or 
more  confufedly  defcribed  by  natural  hiftotians.  In  general, 
we  are  allured,  that  it  refembles  the  fox  in  figure  and  difpofi- 

*  Buffon,  Renard. 

VOL.  II.  2  B 


ANIMALS  OF  THE 

tion,but  we  areftill  ignorant  of  thofe  nice  diftinaionsby  whkK 
it  is  known  to  be  of  a  different  fpecies.  It  is  faid  to  be  of  the 
fize  of  a  middling  dog,  refembling  the  fox  in  the  hinder  parts, 
particularly  the  tail.;  and  the  wolf  in  the  lore-parts,  efpecially 
the  note.  Its  'legs  -are  ihorter  than  thofe  of  the  fox,  and  its 
colour  is  of  a  bright  yellow,  or  forrel,  as  we  exprefs  it  in 
horfee.  This  is  the  reafon  it  has  been  called 'in  Latin  the  gol- 
den-wolf; a  name,  however,  which  is  entirely  unknown  in 
the  countries  where  they  are  moft  common. 

The  fpecies  of  the  jackal  is  diffufed  all  over  Afia,  and  is 
found  alfo  in  moft  parts  of  Africa,  feeming  to  take  up  the  place 
of  the  wolf,  which  in  thofe  countries  is  not  fo  common.  There 
feems'tobe  many  varieties  among  them;  thofe  of  the  warm- 
eft  climates  appear  to  be  the  largeft,  and  their  colour  is  rather 
of  a  reddifli  brown,  than  of  that  beautiful  yellow  by  which 
the  fmallcr  jackals  are  chiefly  diftinguimed. 

Although  the  fpecies  of  the  wolf  approaches  very  near  to 
that  of  the  dog,  yet  the  jackal  feems  to  be  placed  between 
them  ;  to  the  favage  fiercenefs  of  the  wolf  it  adds  the  impu- 
dent familiarity  of  the  dog*.  Its  cry  is  a  howl,  mixed  with 
barking,  and  a  lamentation  refembling  that  of  human  diftrefs. 
It  is  more  noify  in  its  purfuits  even  than  the  dog,  and  more 
voracious  than  the  wolf.  The  jackal  never  goes  alone,  but 
always  in  a  pack  of  forty  or  fifty  together.  Thefe  unite  regu- 
larly every  day  to  form  a  combination  againft  the  reft  of  the 
foreft.  Nothing  then  can  efcape  them  ;  they  are  content  to 
take  up  with  the  fmalleft  animals  •,  and  yet,  when  thus  united, 
they  have  courage  to  face  the  largeft.  They  feem  very  little 
afraid  of  mankind  ;  but  jpurfue  their  game  to  the  very  doors, 
without  teftifying  either  attachment  or  apprehenfion.  They 
enter  infolently  into  the  meep-folds,  the  yards,  and  the  fta- 
bles,  and,  when  they  can  find  nothing  elfe,  devour  the  leather, 
harnefs,  boots,  and  fhoes,  and  run  off  with  what  they  have 
not  time  to  fwallow. 

They  not  only  attack  the  living  but  the  dead.  They  fcratch 

*  Buffon,  vol.  xxvii.  p,  52. 


DOG  KIND. 

op  with  their  feet  the  new-made  graves,  and  devour  the  corpfe 
how  putrid  foever.  In  thofe  countries,  therefore,  where  they 
abound,  they  are  obliged  to  beat  the  earth  over  the  grave, 
and  to  mix  it  with  thorns,  to  prevent  the. jackals  from  fcrap- 
ing  it  away.  They  always  afitft  each  other  as  well  in  this  em- 
ployment of  exhumation  as  in  that  of  the  chace.  While  they 
are  at  this  dreary  work,  they  exhort  each  other  by  a  moft 
mournful  cry,  refembling  that  of  children  under  chaftifement  ; 
and  when  they  have  thus  dug  up  the  body,  they  mare  it  ami- 
cably between  them.  Thefe,  like  all  other  favage  animals, 
when  they  have  once  tafted  of  human  flem3  can  never  after 
refrain  from  purfuing  mankind.  They  watch  the  burying- 
grounds,  follow  armies,  and  keep  in  the  rear  of  caravans. 
They  may  be  confidered  as  the  vulture  of  the  quadruped  kind  ; 
every  thing  that  once  had  animal  life,  feems  equally  agreeable 
to  them  ;  the  moft  putrid  fubftances  are  greedily  devoured ; 
dried  leather,  and  any  thing  that  has  been  rubbed  with  greafe, 
how  infipid  foever  in  itfelf,  is  fufficient  to  make  the  whole  go 
down. 

They  hide  themfelves  in  holes  by  day,  and  feldom  appear 
abroad  till  night-fall,  when  the  jackal,  that  has  firft  hit  upon 
the  fcent  of  fome  larger  beaft,  gives  notice  to  the  reft  by  a 
howl,  which  it  repeats  as  it  runs  ;  while  all  the  reft,  that 
are  within  hearing,  pack  in  to  its  affiftance.  The  gazelle,  or 
whatever  other  beaft  it  may  be,  finding  itfelf  purfued,  makes 
off  towards  the  houfes  and  the  towns  ;  hoping  by  that  means, 
to  deter  its  purfuers  from  following  :  but  hunger  gives  the 
jackal  the  fame  degree  of  boldnefs  that  fear  gives  the  gazelle, 
and  it  purfues  even  to  the  verge  of  the  city,  and  often  along 
the  ftreets.  The  gazelle,  however,  by  this  means,  moft  fre- 
quently efcapes  ;  for  the  inhabitants  fallying  out,  often  difturb 
the  jackal  in  the  chace  -,.  and,  as  it  hunts  by  the  fcent,  when 
once  driven  off,  it  never  recovers  it  again.  In  this  manner 
we  fee  how  experience  prompts  the  gazelle,  which  is  naturally 
a  very  timid  animal,  and  particularly  fearful  of  man,  to  take 
refuge  near  him,  confidering  him  as  the  leaft  dangerous  ene- 
my, and  often  efcaping  by  his  afliftance*. 


iq6  ANIMALS   OF  THE 

But  man  is  not  the  only  intruder  upon   the  -jackal's  induftry 
and  purfuits.  The  lion,  the  tiger,  and  the  panther,  whofe  ap«* 
petites  are  fuperior  to  their  fwiftnefs,  attend  to  its  call,  and  fol- 
low in  filence  at  fome  diftance  behind*.    The  jackal  purfues 
the  whole  night  with  unceafmg  affiduity,  keeping  up  the  cry* 
and,  with  great  perfeverance,  at  laft  tires  down  its  prey ;  but, 
juft  at  the  moment  it  fuppofes  itfelf  going  to  {hare  the  fruits  of 
its  labour,  the,  lion  or  the  leopard  comes  in,  fatiates  himfelf  up* 
on  the  fpoil,  and  his  poor  provider  muft  be  content  with  the 
bare  carcafe  he  leaves  behind.  It  is  not  to  be  wondered   at, 
therefore,  if  the  jackal  be  voracious,   fince  it  fo  feldcm  has  a 
fufficiency  ;  nor  that  it  feeds  on  putrid  fubftances,  fince  it  is  not 
permitted  to  feaft  on  what  it  has  newly  killed,  Befide  thefe  ene- 
mies, the  jackal  has   another  to  cope  with;  for  between  him 
and  the  dog,  there  is  an  irreconcileable  antipathy,  and  they  ne- 
ver part  without  an  engagement.  The  Indian  peafants  often 
chafe  them  as  we  do  foxes  5  and  have  learned,  by  experience, 
when  they  have  got  a  lion  or  a  tiger  in  their  rear,  Upon  fuch 
occafions,  they  keep  their  dogs  clofc,  as  they  would  be  no  match 
for  fuch  formidable  animals,  and  endeavour  to  put  them  to  flight 
•with  their  cries.    When  the  lion  is  difmifled,  they  more  eafU 
ly  cope  with  the  jackal,  who  is  as  flupid  as  it  is  impudent,  and 
feems  much  better  fitted  forpurfuing  than  retreating.  It  fome* 
times  happens  that  one  of  them  deals  filently  into  an  outheufe, 
to  feize  the  poultry, or  devour  the  furniture ',  but  hearing  others 
in  full  cry  at  a  diftance,  without  thought,  it  inftantly  a*  fwers 
the  call,  and  thus  betrays  its  own  depredations.  The  peafants 
fally  out  upon  it,  and  the  foolim  animal  finds,  too  late,  that  ita 
inftinft  was  too  powerful  for  its  fafety. 


THE    I  S  A  T  I  S. 

AS  the  jackal  is  a  fort  of  intermediate  fpeeies  between 
the  dog  and  the  wolff,  fothe  ifatis  may  be  confidered  as  plac- 
ed between  the  dog  and  the  fox.  This  animal  has  hitherto 

*  Linnaei  Syftema,  p.  60. 
f  In  this  defcription  I  have  followed  mr.  Buffonr, 


DO  GRIND.  197 

been  fuppofed  to  be  only  a  variety  of  the  latter  ;  but,  from  the 
lateft  obfervations,  there  is  no  doubt  of  their  being  perfectly 
diftinch  The  iiatis  is  very  common  in  all  the  northern  countries 
bordering  upon  the  icy  fea  ;  and  is  feldom  found,  except  in  the 
coldeft  countries.  It  extremely  refembles  a  fox,  in  the  form 
of  its  body,  and  the  length  of  its  tail ;  and  a  dog,  in  the  make 
of  its  head,  and  the  pofition  of  its  eyes.  The  hair  of  thefe 
animals  is  fofter  than  that  of  a  common  fox  ;  fome  are  blue, 
fome  are  white  at  one  feafon,  and  at  another  of  a  ruflct  brcwru 
Although  the  whole  of  its  hair  be  two  inches  long,  thick,  tufted 
and  gloliy,  yet  the  under  jaw  is  entirely  without  any,  and  the 
fkin  appears  bare  in  that  part. 

This  animal  can  bear  only  the  coldeft  climates,  and  is  chiefly 
feen  along  the  ccafts  of  the  icy  fea,  and  upon  the  banks  of  the 
great  rivers  that  difchar^e  themfelves  therein.  It  is  chiefly  fond 
of  living  in  the  open  country,  and  feldom  (Ven  in  the  foreft,  be- 
ing moitly  found  in  the  mountainous  and  naked  regions  of  Nor- 
way, Siberia,  and  Lapland.  It  burrows,  like  the  fox  ;  and 
when  \\  ith  young,  the  female  retires  to  her  kennel,  in  the  fame 
manner  as  the  fox  is  feen  to  do.  Thefe  holes,  \\  hich  are  very 
narrow,  and  extremely  deep,  have  many  out-lets,  'i  hey  are 
kept  very  clean,  and  are  bedded  at  the  bottom  with  mofs,  for 
the  animal  to  be  more  at  its  eafe.  Its  manner  of  coupling,  time 
of  geftation,  and  number  of  young,  are  all  fimilar  to  what  is  found 
in  the  fox ;  and  it  ufually  brings  forth  at  the  end  of  May,  or  the 
beginning  of  June, 

Such  are  the  particulars  in  which  this  animal  differs  from  thofe 
of  the  dog  kind,  and  in  which  it  refembles  them  :  but  its  molt 
ftriking  peculiarity  remains  flill  to  be  mentioned,  namely,  its 
changing  its  colour,  and  being  feen  at  one  time  brown,  and  at 
another  perfectly  white.  As  was  already  faid,  fome  are  natural- 
ly blue,  and  their  colour  never  changes  ;  but  fuch  as  are  to  be 
white,  are,  when  brough  forth,  of  a  yellow  hue,  which,  in  the 
beginning  of  Septembers  changed  to  white,  all  except  along  the 
top  of  the  back,  along  which  runs  a  ft.  ipe  of  brown,  and  another 
croflingitdown  the  moulders,  at  which  time  the  animal  is  called 
the  f  raffed  fox  j  however,  this  brown  crof  s  totally  difappears  be- 


198  ANIMALS    OF  THE 

froe  winter,  and  then  the  creature  is  all  over  white,  and  its  fur 
is  two  inches  long :  this,  about  the  beginning  of  May,  again  be- 
gins to  fall ;  and  the  molting  is  completed  about  the  middle  of 
July,  when  the  ifatis  becomes  brown  once  more.  The  fur  of 
this  animal  is  of  no  value,  unlefs  It  be  killed  in  winter. 


THE   HYAENA, 

THE  hyaena  is  the  lafl  animal  I  (hall  mention  among  thofe 
of  the  dog  kind,  which  it  in  many  refpe&s  refembles;  akho'  too 
ftrongly  marked  to  be  ftri&ly  reduced  to  any  type.  The  hyrena 
is  nearly  of  the  fize  of  a  wolf ;  and  has  feme  fimilitude  to  that 
animal  in  the  fhape  of  its  head  and  body.  The  head,  at  firft 
fight,  does  not  appear  to  differ,  except  that  the  ears  of  the 
hyaena  are  longer,  and  more  without  hair ;  but,  upon  obfevv- 
ing  more  clofely,  we  mall  find  the  head  broader,  the  nofe  flat- 
ter, and  not  fo  pointed.  The  eyes  are  not  placed  obliquely,  but 
more  like  thofe  of  a  dog.  The  legs,  particularly  the  hinder,  are 
longer  than  thofe  either  of  the  dog  or  the  wolf,  and  different 
from  all  other  quadrupeds  whatfoever,  in  having  but  four  toes,, 
as  well  on  the  fore  feet  as  on  the  hinder.  Its  hair  is  of  a  dirty 
greyifh,  marked  with  black,  difpofed.in  waves  down  its  body. 
Its  tail  is  mort,  with  pretty  long  hair  ;  and  immediately  under 
it,  above  the  anus,  there  is  an  opening  into  a  kind  of  glandular 
pouch,  which  feparates  a  fubflance  of  the  confiftence,  but  riot 
of  the  odour,  of  civet.  This  opening  might  have  gfven  rife  to 
the  error  of  the  ancients,  who  aflerted,  that  this  animal  was 
every  year,  alternately,  male  and  female.  Such  are  the  moft 
flriking  diflinctions  of  the  hyaena,  as  given  us  by  naturalifls  i 
which,  neverthelefs,  convey  but  a  very  confufed  idea  of  the 
peculiarity  of  its  form.  Its  manner  of  holding  the  head  feems 
remarkable ;  fomewhat  like  a  dog,  purfuing  the  fcent,  with 
the  nofe  near  the  ground.  The  head  being  held  thus  low,  the 
back  appears  elevated,  like  that  of  the  hog,  which,  with  a  long 
briflly  band  of  hair,  that  runs  all  along,  gives  it  a  good  deal 
the  air  of  that  animal^  and,  it  is  probable,  that,  from  thiefimili-. 


DOG    KIND.  199 

ttnie,  it  firft  took  its  name,  the  word  buoina  being  Greek,  and 
derived  from  kus,  which  fignifies  a  fow. 

But  no  words  can  give  an  adequate  idea  of  this  animal's 
figure,  deformity,  and  fiercenefs.  More  favage  and  untamea- 
ble  than  any  other  quadruped,  it  feems  to  be  forever  in  a  date 
of  rage  or  rapacity,  for  ever  growling,  except  when  receiving 
its  food.  Its  eyes  then  gliflen,  the  bridles  of  its  back  all  (land 
upright,  its  head  hangs  low,  and  yet  its  teeth  appear;  all  which 
give  it  a  moil  frightful  afpecl,  which  a  dreadful  howl  tends  to 
heighen.  This,  which  I  have  often  heard,  is  very  peculiar  :  its 
beginning  refembles  the  voice  of  a  man  moaning,  and  its  latter 
parr,  as  if  he  was  making  a  violent  effort  to  vomit.  As  it  is 
loud  and  frequent,  it  might,  perhaps,  have  been  fometimes  mif- 
taken  for  that  of  a  human  voice  in  diftrefs,  and  have  given 
rife  to  the  accounts  of  the  ancients,  who  tell  us,  that  the  hycena 
makes  its  moan  to  attract  unwary  travellers,  and  then  to  de- 
itroy  them :  however  this  be,  it  feems  the  moft  untractable, 
•and,  for  its  fize,  the  moft  terrible  of  all  other  quadrupeds  ; 
nor  does  its  courage  fall  fhort  of  its  ferocity  j  it  defends  itfelf 
againft  the  iion,  is  a  match  for  the  panther,  attacks  the  ounce, 
and  fedom  fails  to  conquer. 

It  is  an  obfcene  and  folitary  animal,  to  be  found  chiefly  in 
the  moft  defolate  and  uncultivated  parts  of  the  torrid  zone,  of 
which  it  is  a  native.*  It  refides  in  the  caverns  of  mountains, 
in  the  clefts  of  rocks,  or  in  dens  that  it  has  formed  for  itfelf 
under  the  earth.  Though  taken  never  fo  young,  it  cannot  be 
tamed ;  it  lives  by  depredation,  like  the  wolf,  but  is  much 
ftronger  and  more  courageous.  It  fometimes  attacks  man, 
carries  off  cattle,  follows  the  flock,  breaks  open  the  (heep  cots 
by  night,  and  ravages  with  infatiable  voracity.  Its  eyes  mine 
by  night  5  and  it  is  afferted,  not  without  great  appearance  of 
truth,  that  it  fees  better  by  night  than  by  day.  When  deftitute 
of  other  provifion,  it  fcrapes  up  the  graves,  and  devours  the 
dead  bodies,  how  putrid  foever.  To  thefe  difpofitions,  which 
are  fufficiently  noxious  and  formidable,  the  ancients  have 


ANIMALS  OF 

sdded  numberlsfs  others,  which  are  long  fi  nee  known  to  b<5 
fables :  as,  for  inftance,  that  the  hyaena  was  male  and  female 
alternately,  that  having  brought  forth  and  fuckled  its  y  ung, 
it  then  chaitged  fexes  for  a  year,  and  became  a  male.  This,  as 
Avas  mentioned  above,  could  only  proceed  from  the  opening 
under  the  tail,  which  all  animals  of  this  fpecies  are  found  to 
liave ;  and  which  is  found  in  the  fame  manner  in  no  other 
quadruped,  except  the  badger.  There  is,  in  the  weafei  kind, 
indeed,  an  opening,  but  it  is  lower  down,  and  not  placed  above 
the  anus,  as  in  the  badger  and  the  hyaena.  Some  have  faid 
that  this  animal  changed  the  colour  of  its  hair  at  will ;  others, 
that  a  ftone  was  found  in  its  eye,  which,  put  under  a  man's 
tongue,  gave  him  the  gift  of  prophecy  ;  fome  have  faid  that  he 
had  no  joints  in  the  neck,  which,  however,  all  quadrupeds 
are  known  to  have  ;  and  fome,  that  the  (hadow  of  the  hyaena 
kept  dogs  from  barking.  Thefe,  among  many  other  abfurdi- 
ties,  have  been  aflerted  of  this  quadruped ;  and  which  I 
mention,  to  mow  the  natural  difpofition  of  mankind,  to  load 
tho'fe  that  are  already  but  too  guilty,  with  accumulated  re- 
proach* 


CHAP.    IX. 

Of  Animals  of  the  Weafei  Kind. 

HAVING  defcribed  the  bolder  ranks  of  carnivorous  ani-» 
mals,  we  now  come  to  a  minuter  and  more  feeble 
clafs,  lefs  formidable,  indeed,  than  any  of  the  former, 
but  far  more  numerous,  and,  in  proportion  to  their  fize,  more 
active  and  enterprizing.  The  weafei  kind  may  be  diftinguifhed 
from  other  carnivorous  animals,  by  the  length  and  flendernefs 
of  their  bodies,  which  are  fo  fitted  as  to  wind  like  worms,  into 
very  fmall  openings,  after  their  prey  ;  and  hence  alfo  they 
have  received  the  name  of  vermin,  from  their  fimilitude  to  the 
worm  in  this  particular.  Thefe  animals  differ  from  all  of  the 
at  kind,  in  the  formation  and  difpofition  of  their  claws,  which, 


WEASEL  KIND, 

es  in  the  dog  kinds,  they  can  neither  draw  nor  extend  at 
pleafure,  as  cats  are  known  to  do.  They  differ  from  the  dog 
kind,  in  being  clothed  rather  with  fur  than  hair ;  and  al- 
though fome  varieties  of  the  fox  may  referable  them  in  this 
particular,  yet  the  coat  of  the  latter  is  longer,  ftronger, 
and  always  more  refembling  hair.  Befide  thefe  diftinctions,  all 
animals  of  the  v/eafel  kind  have  glands  placed  near  the  anus, 
that  either  open  into  it,  or  beneath  it,  furnifhing  a  fubftance 
that,  in  fome,  has  the  moft  ofFenfive  fmeil  in  nature,  in  others, 
the  moft  pleafing  perfume.  All  of  this  kind  are  ftill  more  mar- 
ked by  their  habitudes  and  difpofidons,  than  their  external 
form  ;  cruel,  voracious,  and  cowardly,  they  fubfift  only  by 
theft,  and  find  their  chief  protection  in  their  minutenefs. 
They  are  all,  from  the  ihortnefs  of  their  legs,  flow  in  purfuit; 
and,  therefore,  owe  their  fupport  to  their  patience,  affiduity, 
and  cunning.  As  their  prey  is  precarious,  they  lire  a  long  time 
without  food  ;  and  if  they  happen  to  fall  in  where  it  is  in  plen- 
ty, they  inftantly  deftroy  all  about  ther-i  before  they  begin  to 
fatisfy  their  appetite,  and  fuck  the  blood  of  every  animal  be- 
fore they  begin  to  touch  its  flefh. 

Thefe  are  the  marks  common  to  this  kind,  all  the  fpecics 
of  which  have  a  moft  ftriking  refemblance  to  each  other  ;  and 
he  that  has  feen  one,  in  fome  meafure,  may  be  laid  to  have 
feen  all.  The  chief  diftin&ion  in  this  numerous  clafs  of  ani- 
mals, is  to  be  taken  from  the  fize  ;  for  no  words  can  give  the 
minute  irregularities  of  that  outline  by  which  one  fpecies  is  to 
be  diilinguiihed  from  that  which  is  next  it.  I  will  begin, 
therefore,  with  the  leaft  and  the  beft  known  of  this  kind,  and 
ftill  marking  the  fize,  will  proceed  gradually  to  larger  and 
larger,  until  we  come  from  the  weafel  to  the  glutton,  which  I 
take  to  be  thelargefl  of  all.  The  weafel  will  ferve  as  a  model  for 
all  the  reft ;  and,  indeed,  the  points  in  which  they  differ  from 
this  little  animal,  are  but  very  inconfiderable. 

The  weafel,*  as  was  faid,  is  the  fmalleft  of  the  numerous 
tribe ;  its  length  not  exceeding  feven  inches,  from  the  tip  of 

*  Eritiih  Zoology,  vol.  i.  D.  83, 

VOL.  II.  2  C 


sea  ANIMALS   OF  THE 

the  nofe  to  the  infertion  of  the  tail.  This  length,  howevef> 
feems  to  be  very  great,  if  we  compare  it  with  the  height  of 
the  animal,  which  is  not  above  an  inch  and  a  half.  In  mea- 
furing  the  wolf,  we  find  him  to  be  not  above  once  and  a  half 
as  long  as  he  is  high  5  in  obferving  the  weafel,  we  "find  it  near 
live  times  as  long  as  it  is  high,  which  (hows  an  amazing  dif- 
proportion.  The  tail  alfo,  which  is  bufhy,  is  two  inches  and  a 
half  long,  and  adds  to  the  apparent  length  of  this  little  animal'-* 
body.  The  colour  of  the  weafel  is  of  a  bright  red  on  the  back 
and  fides,  but  white  under  the  throat  and  belly.  It  has  whifkers 
like  a  cat ;  and  thirty-two  teeth,  which  are  two  more  than 
any  of  the  cat  kind  ;  and  tb.efe  alfo  fecm  better  adapted  fof 
tearing  and -chewing,  than  thofe  of  the  cat  kind  are.  The  eyeS 
are  little  and  black  ;  the  ears  iliort,  broad,  and  roundifli ;  and 
have  a  fold  at  the  lower  part,  which  makes  them  look  as  if 
they  were  double.  Beneath  the  corners  of  the  mouth,  on  each 
jaw,  is  a  fpot  cf  brown. 

This  animal,  though  very  diminutive  to  appearance,  is,  nc- 
verthelefs,  a  very  formidable  enemy  to  quadrupeds  a  hun- 
dred times  its  own  fize.  It  is  very  common  and  well  known 
in  moil  parts  of  this  country  ;  but  feems  held  in  very  dif- 
ferent eftimation,  in  different  parts  of  it.  In  thofe  places 
where  (heep  or  lambs  are  bred,  the.  weafel  is  a  molt  noxious 
inmate,  and  every  art  is  ufed  to  deftroy  it :  on  the  contrary, 
in  places  where  agriculture  is  chiefly  followed,  the  weafel  is 
confidered  as  a  friend  that  thins  the  number  of  fuch  vermin  as 
chiefly  live  upon  corn  :  however,  in  all  places,  it  is  one  of  the 
inoft  untarneable  and  untra&abk  animals  in  the  world.*  When 
kept  in  acage,  either  for  the  purpofesof  amufement  orinfpeclionj 
itwillnottouch  any  part  of  its  victuals  while  any  body  looks  on. 
It  keeps  in  a  continual  agitation,  and  feems  frightened  fo  much 
at  the  fight  of  mankind,  that  it  will  die,  if  not  permitted  to- 
hide  itfeli  from  their  prefence.  For  this  purpofe,  it  muft  be 
provided,  in  its  cage,  with  a  fufficient  quantity  of  wool  or 
hay,  in  which  it  may  conceal  itfelf,  and  where  it  may  carry 
whatever  it  has  got  to  eat ;  which,  however,  it  will  not  touc*ft 

*  Buffbn,  vol.  xv.  p,  37. 


WEASEL  KIND. 

cntil  it  begins  to  putrefy.  In  this  Rate,  it  feems  to-pafs  three 
parts  of  the  day  in  fleeping;  and  referves  the  night  for  its  times 
of  exercife  and  eat 

In  its  wild  date,  the  night  is  likewife  the  time  during  which 
it  may  be  properly  faid  to  live.  At  the  approach  of  evening, 
it  is  feen  fteaJing  from  its  hole,  and  creeping  about  the  far- 
Hicr'b  yard  for  its  prey.  If  it-  enters  the  place  where  poultry 
are  kept,  it  never  attacks  the  cocks  or  the  old  hens,  but  immedi- 
:u  :Iy  aims  at  the  young  ones.  It  does  not  eat  its  prey  on  the 
place,  but,  after  killing  it  by  a  (ingle  bite  near  the  head,  and' 
•with  a  wound  fo  fmall  that  the  place  can  fcarcely  be  perceived, 
it  carries  it  oft  to  its  young,  or  its  retreat.  It  alfo  breaks  and' 
fucks  the  e^gs,  and  fbmetimcs  kills  the  hen,  that  attempts  to 
defend  them.  It  is  remarkably  a£tive;  and  in  a  confined  place, 
fcarce  any  animal  can  efcape  it.  It  will  run  up  the  fides  of 
walls  with  fuch  facility,  that  no  place  is  fecure  from  it ;  and 
its  body  is  fo  fmall,  that  there  is  fcarce  any  hole  but  what  it 
can  wind  through.  During  the  fumnaer,  its.  excurfions  are 
more  extenfive  ;  but  in  winter,  it  chiefly  confines  itfelf  in 
barns  and  farm-yards,  where  it  remains  till  fpring,  and  where 
k  brings  forth  its  young.  All  this  feafon  it  makes  war  upon 
the  rats  and  mice^.with  ftill  greater  fuccefs.  than  the  cat ;  for,, 
heing  more  active  and  flender,  it  purfues  them-lnto  their  holes, 
and,  after  a  fhort  refiilance^deftroys  them.  It  creeps  alfo  into 
pigeon  holes,  delhroys  the  young,  catches  fparrows,  and  alt 
kinds  of  fmall  birds  ;  and,  if  it  has  brought  forth  its  young, 
hunts  with  ftill  greater  boldnefs  and  avidity.  In  fumrner,  it 
ventures  farther  from  the  houfe ;  and  particularly  goes  into 
thofe  places  where  the  rat.  its  chiefeft  prey,  goes  before  it. 
Accordingly,  it  is  found  in  the  lower  grounds,  by  the  fide  of 
waters,  near  mills,  and  often  is  feen  to  hide  its  young  in  the. 
hollow  of  a  tree. 

The  female  takes  every  precaution  to  make  an  eafy  bed  for 
her  little  ones  :  fhe  lines  the  bottom  of  her  hole  with,  grafs,  hay, 
leaves,  and  mofs,  and  generally  brings  forth  from  three  to  five 
at  a  time.  All  animals  of  this,  as  well  as  tlibfe,  of  the 


204  ANIMALS    OF   THE 

kind,  bring  forth  their  young  with  clofed  eyes ;  but  they  very 
foon  acquire  ftrength  fufficient  to  follow  the  dam  in  her  ex~ 
curfions,  and  affiil  in  her  projects  of  petty  rapine.  The 
weafel,  like  all  others  of  its  kind,  does  not  run  on  equably* 
but:  moves  by  bounding  ;  and  when  it  climbs  a  tree,  by  a  (ingle 
fpring,  it  gets  a  good  way  from  the  ground.  It  jumps  in  the 
fame  manner  upon  its  prey ;  and,  having  an  extremely  limber 
body,  evades  the  attempts  of  much  ftronger  animals  to  fdze  it. 

This  animal,  like  all  of  its  kind,  has  a  very  ftrong  fmell ;  and 
that  of  the  weafel  is  peculiarly  foetid.  This  fcent  is  very  dif- 
tinguiihable  in  thofe  creatures,  when  they  void  their  excre- 
ment ;  for  the  glands  which  furnilh  this  foetid  fubflance,  which 
is  of  the  confidence  of  fuet,  open  direftly  into  the  orifice  of 
the  anus,  and  taint  the  excrement  with  the  ftrong  effluvia, 
The  weafel  imells  more  ftrongly  in  fummer  than  in  winter  ;, 
and  more  abominably  when  irritated  or  purfued,  than  when  at 
its  eafe,  It  always  preys  in  filenc.e,  and  never  has  a  cry  except 
when  ftruck,  and  then  it  has  a  rough  kind  of  fqueaking,  which 
at  once  exprciTes  refentment  and  pain.  Its  appetite  for  animal 
food  never  for  fakes  it ;  and  it  feems  even  to  take  a  pleafure  in 
the  vicinity  of  putrefaction.  Mr.  Buffon  tells  us  of  one  of 
them  being  found  with  three  young  ones,  in  the  carcafs  pf  a 
wolf  that  was  grown  putrid,  and  that  had  been  hung  up,  by- 
the  hind  legs,  as  a  terror  to  others.  Into  this  horrid  retreat,  the 
weafel  thought  proper  to  retire  to  bring  forth  her  young  ;  fhe 
had  furniihed  the  cavity  with  hay,  grafs  and  leaves  \  and  the 
young  were  juft  brought  forth  when  they  were  difcovered  by 
a  peafant  paffing  that  way. 

THE   ERMINE,   OR  STOAT. 

NEXT  to  the  weafel  in  fize,  and  perfectly  alike  in  figure, 
is  the  ermine.  The  difference  between  this  and  the  former 
animal  is  fo  very  fmall,  that  many,  and  among  the  reft  Lin- 
naeus, who  gives  but  one  description  of  both,  have  confounded 
the  two  kinds  together.  However  their  differences  are  fufii- 


WEASEL   KIND.  205 

cicnt  to  induce  later  naturalifts  to  fuppofe  the  two  kinds  diftln£tj 
and  as  their  lights  fcem  preferable,  we  choofe  to  follow  their 
defcriptions.* 

The  float,  or  ermine,  differs  from  the  v/eafel  in  fize,  being 
ufually  nine  inches  long ;  whereas  the  former  is  not  much 
above  fix.  The  tail  of  the  ermine  is  always  tipped  with  black, 
and  is  longer  in  proportion  to  the  body,  and  more  furnimed, 
v,  ith  hair.  The  edges  of  the  ears  and  the  ends  of  the  toes  in 
this  animal  are  of  a  yellowifh  white  j  and  although  it  is  of  the 
fame  colour  with  the  weafel,  being  of  a  lightifh  brown,  and 
though  both  this  animal,  as  well  as  the  weafel,  in  the  rnoft 
northern  parts  of  Europe,  changes  its  colour  in  winter,  and 
becomes  white ;  yet  even  then  the  weafel  may  be  eafily  dlf- 
tinguifhed  from  the  ermine  by  the  tip  of  the  tail,  which  in  the 
latter  is  always  black. 

It  is  well  known  that  the  fur  of  the  ermine  is  the  moft  valua- 
ble of  any  hitherto  known  ;  and  it  is  in  winter  only  that  this 
little  animal  has  it  of  the  proper  colour  and  confidence.  In 
fummer,  the  ermine,  as  was  faid  before,  is  brown,  and  it  may 
at  that  time  more  properly  be  called  the  float.  There  are  few 
fo  unacquainted  with  quadrupeds  as  not  to  perceive  this 
change  of  colour  in  the  hair,  which,  in  fonie  degree,  obtains  in 
them  all.  The  horfe,  the  cow,  and  the  goat,  all  manifeftly 
change  colour  in  the  beginning  of  fummer,  the  old  long  hair 
falling  off,  and  a  fhorter  coat  of  hair  appearing  in  its  room, 
generally  of  a  darker  colour,  and  yet  more  glofly.  What  ob- 
tains in  our  temperate  climate,  is  feen  to  prevail  ftill  more 
ftrongly  in  thofe  regions  where  the  winters  are  long  and  fe- 
vere,  and  the  fu  miners  fhort  and  yet  generally  hot  in  an  ex- 
treme degree.  The  animal  has  flrength  enough  during  that 
feafon,  to  throw  off  a  warm  coat  of  fir,  which  would  but  in* 
commode  it,  and  continues  for  two  or  three  months  in  a  flate 
fomewhat  refembling  the  ordinary  quadrupeds  of  the  milder 
climates.  At  the  approach  of  winter,  however,  the  cold  in- 
creafing,  the  coat  of  hair  feems  to  thicken  in  proportion  ;  from 
being  coarfe  and  fhort,  it  lengthens  and  grows  finer,  while 

*  Buffon.  Britifli  Zoology. 


ANIMALS    OF   THE 

multitudes  of  fmaller  .hairs  grow  up  between'  the  longer^ 
thicken  the  coat,  and  give  it  all  that  warmth  and  foftnefo 
which  are  fo  much  valued  in  the  furs  of  the  northern  animals. 

It  is  no  eafy  matter  to  account  for  this  remarkable  warmth 
of  the  furs  of  northern  quadrupeds,  or  how  they  come  to- 
be  furniflied  with  fuch  an  abundant  covering.  It  is  eafy 
enough,  indeed,  to  fay,  that  nature  fits  them  thus  for  the  cli- 
mate ;  and,  like  an  indulgent  mother,  when  flie  expofes  them 
to  the  rigour  of  an  intemperate  winter,  fuppiks  them  with  a 
covering  againfl  its  inclemency.  But  this  is  only  flourishing  , 
it  is  not  eafy,  I  fay,  to  tell  how  nature  comes  to  fumiih  them  ii>. 
this  manner.  A  few  particulars  on  this  fubjecVareall  that  we  yet 
know.  It  isobfervable  among  quadrupeds,  as  well  aseven  among 
the  human  fpecies  itfelf,  that  a  thin  fparing  diet  is  apt  to  pro- 
duce hair;  children  that  have  been  ill  fed,  famillied  clogs  and 
horfes,  are  more  hairy  than  others  whofe  food  has  been  more 
plentiful  Tl^is.  may,  therefore,  be  one  caufe,  that  the  animal* 
of- the  north,  in  winters.,  are  more  hairy  than  thofe  of  the  mil-, 
der  climates.  At,  that  feafon,  the  whole  country  is  covered  with, 
deep  fnow,  and  the  provisions  which  thefe  creatures  are  able. 
£o  procure*  can  be  but  precarious  .and  fcanty.  Its  becoming  fin- 
er may  alfo  proceed  from  the  feverity  of  the  cold,  that  con- 
trails  the  pores  of  the  fkin,  and  the  hair  confequently  takes, 
the  (hape  of  the  aperture  through  which  it  grows,  as  wires  are, 
made  f mailer  by  being  drawn  through  a  fmaller  orifice. 

However  this  may  be,  all  the  animals  of  the  artic  climates 
maybe  faid  to  have  their  winter  and  fummer  garments,  ex-, 
cept  very  far  to  the  north,  as  in  Greenland,  where  the  cold  is 
fo  continually  intenfe  and  the  food  fo  fcarce5  that  neither  the 
bears  nor  foxes  change  their  colour.* 

The  ermine,  as  was  laid,  is  remarkable  among  thefe  for  tne 
fpftnefs,  the  clofenefs,  and  the  warmth  of  its  fur.  It  is  brown., 
inffummer,  like  the  wcafel,  and  changes  colour  before  the  win- . 
ter  is  begun,  becoming  a  beautiful  cream  colour,  all  except  the 
$ip  of  the  tail,  as  was  faid  before,  which  (till  continues  black*. 

*  Krautz's  Hiflory  of  Greenland,  vol.  i.  p.  72, 


WEASEL  KIND. 

Da-ubsnton  had  one  of  thefe  brought  him  with  its  white 
winter  fur,  which  he  put  into  a  cage,  and  kept,  in  order  to  ob- 
iVrve  the  manner  of  moulting  its  hair.  He  received  it  in  the 
beginning  of  March,  and  in  a  very  fhort  time  it  began  to  fhed 
its  coat,  and  a  mixture  of  brown  was  feen  to  prevail  among  the 
white,  fo  that,  at  the  ninth  of  the  fame  month,  its  head  was 
nearly  become  of  a  reddifh  brown*  Day  after  day,  his  colour 
appeared  to  extend  at  firft  along  the  neck  and  down  th'eback, 
in  the  manner  cf  a  flripe  of  about  half  an  inch  broad.  The 
fore-part  of  the  legs  then  affiimed  the  fame  colour ;  a  part 
cf  the  hend,  the  thighs,  and  the  tail,  were  the  laft  that  chang- 
ed ;  but  at  the  end  of  the  month,  there  was  no  white  remain- 
ing, except  on  thofe  parts  which  are  always  white  in  this  fpe- 
cies,  particularly  the  throat  and  the  belly.  However,  he  had 
not  the  pleafure  of  feeing  this  animal  refume  its  former  white- 
nets,  although  he  kept  it  for  above  two  years  ;  which,  without 
doubt,  was  owing  to  its  imprifoned  ftate ;  this  colour  being 
partly  owing  to  its  {tinted  food,  and  partly  to  the  rigour  of 
the  feafon.  During  its  ftate  of  confinement,  this  little  animal 
always  continued  very  wild  and  untractable ;  for  ever  in  a 
ftate  of  violent  agitation,  except  when  afleep,  which  it  often 
continued  for  three  parts  of  the  day.  Except  for  its  moft  dif- 
agreeable  fcent,  it  was  an  extremely  pretty  creature,  its  eyes 
Brightly,  its  phyfiognomy  pleafant,  and  its  motions  fo  fwift 
that  the  eye  could  fcarce  attend  them.  It  was  fed  with  eggs 
and  flefh,  but  it  always  let  them  putrefy  before  it  touched  ei- 
ther. As  fome  of  this  kind  are  known  to  be  fond  of  honey,  it 
was  tried  to  feed  this  animal  with  fuch  food  for  a  while  ;  after 
having  for  three  or  four  days  deprived  it  of  other  food,  it  ate 
of  this,  and  died  fhortly  after  ;  a  ftrong  proof  of  its  being  a 
diftinft  fpecies  from  the  pole-cat  or  the  martin,  who  feed  up- 
on honey,  but  othervrife  pretty  much  refemble  the  ermine  in 
their  figure  and  difpofitions. 

In  the  north  of  Europe  and  Siberia,  their  flans  make  a  va- 
luable article  of  Commerce,  and  they  are  found  there  much 
more  frequently  than  among  us.  In  Siberia  they  burrow  in 
the  fields,  and  are  taken  in  traps  baited  with  fleih.  In  Nor- 


303  ANIMALS  OF  THE 

way,  they  arc  either  (hot  with  blunt  arrows  or  taken  in  trap* 
made  of  two  flat  (tones,  one  being  propped  with  a  flick,  to 
:-h  is  fattened  a  baited  firing,  and  when  the  animals  at- 
tempt to  pull  this  away,  the  ftone  drops  and  crufhes  them  to 
death.  This  animal  is  fometimes  found  white  in  Great- 
Britain,  and  is  then  called  a  white  wealel.  Its  furs,  however, 
among  us  are  of  no  value,  having  neither  the  thicknefs, 
the  clofenefs,  nor  the  whitenefs  of  thofe  which  come  from. 
Siberia.  The  fur  of  the  ermine,  in  every  country,  changes 
by  time  ;  for,  as  much  of  its  beautiful  whitenefs  is  given  it  by 
certain  arts  known  to  the  furriers,  fo  its  natural  colour  re- 
turns, and  its  former  whitenefs  can  never  be  rcftored  again. 


THE      FERRET. 

THE  animal  next  in  fizc  to  the  ermine,  is  the  ferret;  which 
is  a  kind  of  domeftic  in  Europe,  though  faid  to  be  originally 
brought  from  Africa  into  Spain,  which  being  a  country 
abounding  in  rabbits,  required  an  animal  of  this  kind,  more 
than  any  other ;  however  this  be,  it  is  not  to  be  found  at  pre- 
fent  among  us,  except  in  its  doraeftic  itate ;  and  it  is  chiefly 
kept  tame,  for  the  purpofes  of  the  warren. 

The  ferret  is  about  one  foot  long,  being  nearly  four  inches 
longer  than  the  \veafel.  It  refembles  that  animaJ  in  the  flen- 
dernefs  of  its  body,  and  the  fhortnefs  of  its  legs ;  but  its  nofe 
is  (harper,  and  its  body  more  (lender,  in  proportion  to  its 
length.  The  ferret  is  commonly  of  a  cream  colour,  but  they 
are  alib  found  of  all  the  colours  of  the  weafel  kind  ;  white, 
blackifh,  brown  and  party-coloured,  Thofe  that  are  of  the 
\vhitifh  kind,  have  their  eyes  red,  as  is  aimoft  general  with  all 
animals  entirely  of  that  colour.  But  its  principal  diftin£Hon 
from  the  weafel,  is  the  length  of  the  hair  on  its  tail,  which  is 
much  longer  in  the  ferret  than  the  weafel.  Words  will  not 
well  exprefs  the  other  diftinclions  ;  and  what  might  take  up 
a  page  in  dull  difcrimination,  a  fingle  glance  of  the  eye,  when 
the  animals  themfelves  are  prefented,  can  difcover. 


WEASEL   KIND.  -2*9 

As  tliis  animal  is  a  native  of  the  torrid  zone*,  fo  it  cannot 
"bear  the  rigours  of  our  climate,  without  care  and  (belter;  and 
k  generally  repays  the  trouble  of  its  keeping,  by  its  great  agi- 
hty  in  the  warren.  It  is  naturally  fuch  an  enemy  of  the  rabbit 
kind,  that  if  a  dead  rabbit  be  prefented  to  a  young  ferret,  al- 
though it  has  never  feen  one  before,  it  inftantly  attacks  and 
bites  it  with  an  appearance  of  rapacity.  If  the  rabbit  be  living, 
the  ferret  is  Hill  more  eager,  feizes  it  by  the  neck,  winds  it- 
felf  round  it,  and  continues  to  fuck  its  biood,  till  it  be  fatiated. 

Their  chief  u'fe  in  warrens,  is  to  enter  the  holes,  and  drive 
the  rabbits  into  the  nets  that  are  prepared  for  them  at  the 
mouth.  For  this  purpofe,  the  ferret  is  muzzled  j  otherwife, 
inftead  of  driving  out  the  rabbit,  it  would  content  itfelf  with 
killing  and  fucking  its  blood  at  the  bottom  of  the  hole  ;  but, 
by  this  contrivance,  being  rendered  unable  to  feize  it>  prey, 
the  rabbit  efcapes  from  its  claws,  and  inftantly  makes  to  the 
mouth  of  the  hole  with  fuch  precipitation,  that  it  is  inextrica- 
bly entangled  in  the  net  placed  there  for  its  reception.  It  of- 
ten happens,  however,  that  th^  ferret  difengages  itfelf  of  its 
muzzle,  and  then  it  is  moft  commonly  loft,  unlefs  it  be  dug 
cut ;  for,  finding  all  its  wants  fatisfied  in  the  Warren,  it  never 
thinks  of  returning  to  the  owner,  but  continues  to  lead  a  ra- 
pacious, folitary  life,  while  the  fummer  continues,  and  dies 
with  the  cold  of  the  winter.  In  order  to  bring  the  ferret  from 
his  hole,  the  owners  often  burn  draw  and  other  fubftances  at 
the  mouth;  they  alfo  beat  above,  to  terrify  it ;  but  this  does  not 
always  fucceed;  for,  as  there  are  often  feveral  i flues  to  each  hole, 
the  ferret  is  affected  neither  by  the  noife  nor  the  fmoke,  but 
continues  fecure  at  the  bottom,  fleeping  the  greatest  part  of  the 
time,  and  waking  only  to  fatisfy  the  calls  of  hunger. 

The  female  of  this  fpeciesf  is  fenfibly  lefs  than  the  male, 
whom  (he  feeks  with  great  ardour,  and,  it  is  faid,  often  dies, 
without  being  admitted.  They  are  ufualiy  kept  in  boxes,  with 
wool,  of  which  they  make  thernfelves  a  warm  bed,  which 
ferves  to  defend  them  from  the  rigour  of  the  climate.  They 
jQeep  almoft  continually  ;  and  the  inflant  they  awake,  they 
*  Buffon.  f  Ibid 

VOL.  II.  2D 


?io  ANIMALS  OF  THE 

feem  eager  for  food.  They  are  ufually  fed  with  bread 
milk,  and  they  breed  twiee  a  year.  Some  of  them  devour  their 
young  as  foon  as  brought  forth  ;  and  then  become  fit  ior 
the  male  again.  Their  number  is  ufnally  from  five  to  fix  at  a 
litter  ;  and  this  is  faid  to  connft  of  more  females  than  males. 
Upon  the  whole,  this  is  an  ufeful,  but  a  difagreeable  and  of- 
fenfire  animal ;  its  fcent  is  foetid,  its  nature  voracious,  it  is 
tame  without  any  attachment,  and  fuch  is  its  appetite  for 
blood,  that  it  has  been  known  to  attack  and  kill  children  in 
the  cradle.  It  is  very  eafy  to  be  irritated ;  and,  although  at  all 
times  its  fmell  is  very  offenfive,  it  then  is  much  more  fo  ;  and 
its  bite  is  very  difficult  of  cure. 

To  the  ferret  kind,  we  may  add  an  animal  which  mr.  BufFon 
calls  the  vanfire,  the  (kin  of  which  was  fent  him  fluffed,  from 
Madagafcar.  It  wasthirteen inches  long,  a  good  deal  refembling 
the  ferret  in  figure,  but  differing  in  the  number  of  its  grinding 
teeth,  which  amounted  to  twelve;  whereas,  in  the  ferret,  there 
are  but  eight :  It  differed  alfo  in  colour,  being  of  a  dark 
brown,  and  exactly  the  fame  on  all  parts  of  its  body.  Of  this 
animal,  fo  nearly  refembling  the  ferret,  we  have  no  other 
hiilory,  but  the  mere  defcription  of  its  figure  ;  and  in  a  qua- 
druped whofe  kind  is  fo  ftrongly  marked,  perhaps  this  is  fuffi.- 
cient  to  faticfy  curiofity. 

THE  POLECAT. 

« 

The  polecat  is  larger  than  the  weafel,  the  ermine,  or  the 
ferret,  being  one  foot  five  inches  long ;  whereas,  the  weafel  is 
but  fix  inches,  the  ermine  nine,  and  the  ferret  eleven  inches. 
It  fo  much  refembles  the  ferret  in  form,  that  fome  have  been 
of  opinion  they  were  one  and  the  fame  animal ;  neverthelefs, 
there  are  a  fufficient  number  of  diftinclions  between  them  :  it 
is,  in  the  firfl  place,  larger  than  the  ferret ;  it  is  not  quite  fo 
(lender,  and  has  a  blunter  nofe  •,  it  differs  alfo  internally,  hav- 
ing but  fourteen  ribs,  whereas  the  ferret  has  fifteen ;  and  wants 
one  of  the  bread  bones,  which  is  found  in  the  ferret :  howe- 
ver, warreners  afTert,  that  the  polecat  will  mix  with  the  ferret; 


WEASEL   KIND.  ait 

•and  they  are  fometimes  obliged  to  procure  an  intercourfe  be- 
tween thefe  two  animals,  to  improve  the  breed  of  the  latter, 
which,  by  long  confinement,  is  fornetimes  feen  to  abate  of  its 
rapacious  difpofition.  Mr.  Buffon  denies  that  the  ferret  will 
admit  the  po'ecat ;  yet  gives  a  variety  under  the  name  of  both 
animals,  which  may  very  probably  be  a  fpurious  race  between 
the  two. 

However  this  be,  the  polecat  feems  by  much  the  more  pleaf- 
ing  animal  of  the  two:  for,  although  the  long,  (lender  fh ape  of 
all  thefe  vermin  tribes  gives  them  a  very  difagreeable  appear- 
ance, yet  the  foftnefs  and  colour  of  the  hair,  in  fome  of  them,, 
atones  for  the  defect,  and  renders  them,  if  not  pretty,  at  leaft 
not  frightfuL  The  polecat,  for  the  mod  part,  is  of  a  deep 
chocolate  colour ;  it  is  white  about  the  mouth  ;  the  ears  are 
fhort,  rounded,  and  tipt  with  white  ;  a  little  beyond  the  cor- 
ners of  the  mouth  a  ftripe  begins,  which  runs  backward,  partly 
white  and  partly  yellow :  its  hair,  like  that  of  all  this  clafs, 
is  of  two  forts  ;  the  long  and  the  furry  :  but,  in  this  animal, 
the  two  kinds  are  of  different  colours ;  the  longeft  is  black, 
and  the  fliorter  yellowifh  :*  the  throat,  feet  and  tail,  are  blacker 
than  any  other  partsof  the  body  :  the  claws  are  white  underneath, 
and  bro  \\  n  above  ;  and  ks  tail  is  about  two  inches  and  a  half. 

It  is  very  dcftruftive  to  young  game  of  all  kinds  f  :  but  the 
rabbit  feems  to  be  its  favourite  prey ;  a  {ingle  polecat  is  often 
fufficient  to  deftroy  a  whole  warren  ;  for,  with  that  infatiable 
third  for  blood,  which  is  natural  to  all  the  weafel  kind,  it  kills 
much  more  that  it  can  devour  ;  and  I  have  feen  twenty  rab- 
bits at  a  time  taken  out  dead,  which  they  had  deflroyed,  and 
that  by  a  wound  which  was  hardly  perceptible.  Their  ilze, 
however,  which  is  fo  much  larger  than  the  weafel,  renders  their 
retreats  near  houfes  much  more  precarious  ;  although  I  h-ive 
feen  them  burrow  near  a  village,  fo  as  fcarcely  to  be  extirpa- 
ted. But,  in  general,  they  refide  in  woods  or  thick  brakes,  mak- 
ing holes  under  ground  of  about  two  yards  deep,  commonly 
ending  about  the  roots  of  large  trees,  for  greater  fecurity.  la 

*  Ray's  Synopfis.        f   JJritith  Zoology,  vol.  i.  p,  78, 


ANIMALS  OF  THE 

winter,  they  frequent  houfes,  and  make  a  common  practice  of 
robbing  the  hen-roofl  and  the  dairy. 

The  polecat  is  particularly  deftruclive  among  pigeons*, 
when  it  gets  into  a  dove-houfe;  without  making  fo  much  noife 
as  the  weafel,  it  does  a  great  deal  more  mtfchief ;  it  dlfpatches 
each  with  a  fingle  wound  hi  the  head;  and,  after  killing  a  great 
number,  and  fatiating  itfdf  with  their  blood,  it  then  begins  to 
think  of  carrying  them  home.  This  it  carefully  performs,  go- 
ing and  returning,  and  bringing  them  one  by  oiic  to  its  hole  ;• 
but  if  it  fhould  happen  that  the  opening  by  which  it  got  into 
the  dove-houfe  be  not  large  enough  for  the  body  of  the  pigeon- 
to  get  through,  this  mifchievous  creature  contents  itfelf  with 
carrying  away  the  heads,  and  makes  a  rnoil  deliciuos  feaft  upon 
the  brains. 

It  is  not  lefs  fond  of  honey,  attacking  the  hives  in  winter, 
and  forcing  the  b^es  away.  It  does  not  remove  far  from  houfes 
in  winter,  as  its  prey  is  not  foeafily  found  in  the  woods  during 
thatfeafon.  The  female  brings  forth  her  young  in  fummer,  to 
the  number  of  five  or  fix  at  a  time;  thefe  me  foon  trains  to  her 
own  rapacious  habits,  fupplying  the  want  of  milk,  which  no 
carnivorous  quadruped  has  in  plenty,  with  the  blood  of  fuch 
animals  as  fhe  happens  to  feize.  The  fur  of  this  animal  is  con- 
fidered  as  foft  and  warm  ;  yet  it  is  in  lefs  eftimation  than  feme 
of  a  much  inferior  kind,  from  its  ofFenfive  fmell,  which  can  ne- 
ver be  wholly  removed  or  fuppreflcd.  The  polecat  feems  to  be 
an  inhabitant  of  the  temperate  climatesf,  fcarce  any  being  found 
towards  the  north,  and  but  very  few  in  the  warmer  latitudes. 
The  fpecies  appears  to  be  confined  in  Europe,  from  Poland  to 
Italy.  It  is  certain,  that  thefe  animals  are  afraid  of  the  cold,  as 
they  are  often  feen  to  come  into  houfes  in  winter,  and  as  their 
tracks  are  never  found  in  the  fnow,  near  their  retreats.  It  is 
probable,  alfo,  that  they  are  afraid  of  heat,  as  they  are  but  thin- 
ly fcattered  in  the  fouthern  climates. 

*  BalFon,  f  Ibid, 


WEASEL   KIND.  213 


THE     MARTIN. 

THE  martin  is  a  larger  animal  than  any  of  the  former,  be- 
ing generally  eighteen  inches  long,  and  the  tail  ten  more.  It 
differs  from  the  polecat,  in  being  about  four  or  five  inches 
longer  ;  its  tail  aifo  is  longer  in  proportion,  and  more  bulhy  at 
the  end  ;  its  nofe  is  flatter  ;  its  cry  is  (harper,  and  more  pier- 
cing; its  colours  are  more  elegant  ;  and  what  itill  adds  to  their 
beauty,  its  (cent,  very  unlike  the  former, inftead  of  being otTen- 
fivc,  is  confidered  as  a  moil  pleating  perfume.  The  martin,  in 
(hort,  is  the  moft  beautiful  of  all  Britifh  beads  of  prey :  its  head 
is  fmali,  and  elegantly  formed;  its  eyes  lively;  its  ears  are  broad, 
rounded  and  open;  its  back,  its  fides,  and  tail, are  covered  with 
a  fine  thick  downy  fur,  with  longer  hair  intermixed;  the  roots 
are  afh-colour,  the  middle  of  a  bright  chefnut,  the  points  black  ; 
the  head  is  brown,  with  a  flight  caft  of  red  ;  the  legs,  and  up- 
per fides  of  the  feet,  are  of  a  chocolate  colour  ;  the  palms,  or 
under  fides,  are  covered  with  a  thick  down,  like  that  of  the 
bodyj  the  feet  are  broad,  the  claws  white,  large  and  (harp, 
wc!l  adapted  for  the  purpofes  of  climbing,  but,  as  in  others  of 
the  weafei  kind,  incapable  of  being  (licathed  or  unflieathed  at 
pleafure ;  the  throat  and  bread  are  white  ;  the  belly  of  the 
fame  colour  with  the  back,  but  rather  paler  ;  the  hair  on  the 
tail  is  very  long,  efptcially  at  the  end,  where  it  appears  much 
thicker  than  near  the  infertion. 

There  is  alfo  a  variety  of  this  animal,  called  the  yellow- 
breaded  martin,  which,  in  no  refpect  differs  from  the  former, 
except  that  this  has  a  yellow  bread,  whereas  the  other  has  a 
white  one  :  the  colour  of  the  body  alfo  is  darker  ;  and,  as  it 
lives  more  among  trees  than  the  other  martin,  its  fur  is  more 
valuable,  beautiful  and  gloffy.  The  former  of  thefe  mr.  Buffon 
calls  the  fouine  ;  the  latter,  fimply  the  martin  ;  and  he  fup- 
pofes  them  to  be  a  didincl:  fpecies  :  but  as  they  differ  only  in 
colour,  it  is  unneceffary  to  embarrafs  hiftory  by  a  new  dif- 
tinclion,  where  there  is  only  fo  minute  a  difference. 

Of  all  animals  of  the  weafei  kind,  the  martin  is  die  mofl 


2&i  ANIMALS   OF    THE 

pleafing;  all  its  motions  mow  great  grace,  as  well  as  agility  ? 
and  there  is  fcarce  an  animal  in  our  woods  that  will  venture  to 
oppofe  it.  Quadrupeds  five  times  as  big  are  eafily  vanquished  ; 
the  hare,  the  iheep,  and  even  the  wild  cat  itfelf,  though  much 
ftronger,  is  not  a  match  for  the  martin  :  and,  although  carnivo- 
rous animals  are  not  fond  of  engaging  each  other,  yet  the 
cat  and  the  martin  feldom  meet  without  a  combat.  Gef- 
ner  tells  us  of  one  of  this  kind  that  he  kept  tame,  which  was 
extremely  playful  and  pretty  ^  it  went  among  the  houfes  of  the 
neighbourhood,  and  always  returned  home  when  hungry :  it 
was  extremely  fond  of  a  dog  that  had  been  bred  up  with, 
it,  and  ufed  to  play  with  it  as  cats  are  ieen  to  play,  lying  on. 
its  back,  and  biting  without  anger  or  injury.  1  hat  which  was 
kept  tame  by  mr.  BufFon,  was  not  quite  fo  focial :  it  was  di- 
vefted  of  its  ferocity,  but  continued  without  attachment ;  and 
was  ftill  fo  wild  as  to  be  obliged  to  be  held  by  a  chain.  When- 
ever a  cat  appeared,  it  prepared  for  war  ;  and,  if  any  of  the 
poultry  came  within  its  reach,  it  flew  upon  them  with  avidity.. 
Though  it  was  tied  by  the  middle  of  the  body,  it  frequently 
efcapcd :  at  fir  ft  it  returned  after  fome  hours,  but  without 
lee  in  ing  pleafed,  and  as  if  it  only  came  to  be  fed  \,  the  next 
time  it  continued  abroad  longer;,  and,  at  lad,  went  away  with- 
out ever  returning.  It  was  a  female,  and  was,  when  it  went 
oft',  ;i  year  and  a  half  old;  and  mr.  BufFon  fuppofes  it  to  have 
gone  in  quefl  of  the  male.  It  ate  every  thing  that  was  given 
it,  except  fallad  or  herbs;  and  it  was  remarkably  fond  of  honey. 
It  was  remarked  that  it  drank  often,  and  often  flept  for  two 
days  together ;  and  that,  in  like  manner,  it  was  often  two  or 
three  days  without  fleeping.  Before  it  went  to  deep,  it  drew 
itidf  up  into  a  round,  hid  its  head,  and  covered  it  with  its  taiL 
When  awake,  it  was  in  continual  agitation,  and  was  obliged 
to  be  tied  up,  not  lefs  to  prevent  its  attacking  the  poultry,  than 
to  hinder  it  from  breaking  whatever  it  came  near,  by  the  ca- 
us  wildnefs  of  its  motions. 

The  yellow-breaded  martin  is  much  more  common  in  France 
than  in  England;  and  yet  even  there,  this  variety  is  muchfcarcer 
rha.n  that  with  the.  white  bread.  The  latter  ke^-ps  nearer  houfes 


WEASEL  KIND.  *ij 

and  villages  to  make  its  petty  ravages  among  the  fheep  and  the 
poultry;  the  other  keens  in  the  woods,  and  leads,  in  every  re- 
fpeft,  a  fivage  life,  building  its  neft  upon  the  tops  of  trees,  and 
living  upon  fuch  animals  as  are  entirely  wild  like  itfelf.  About 
night-fall  it  ufually  quits  its  folitude  to  feek  its  prey,  hunts  af- 
ter fquirrels,  rats,  and  rabbits  ;  deftroys  great  numbers  of  birds 
and  their  young,  takes  the  eggs  from  the  neft,  and  often  re- 
moves them  to  its  own  without  breaking*.  The  inftant  the 
martin  finds  itfelf  purfued  by  dogs,  for  which  purpofe  there  is 
a  peculiar  breed,  that  feem  fit  for  this  chace  only,  it  immedi- 
ately makes  to  its  retreat,  which  is  generally  in  the  hollow  of 
fome  tree,  towards  the  top,  and  which  it  is  impoflible  to  come 
at  without  cutting'it  down.  Their  neft  is  generally  the  origi- 
nal tenement  of  the  fquirrel,  which  that  little  animal  beftow- 
ed  great  pains  in  completing;  but  the  martin  having  killed  and 
difpoflefled  the  little  architect,  takes  pofleffion  of  it  for  its  own 
tife,  enlarges  its  dimenfions,  improves  the  foftnefs  of  the  bed, 
and  in  that  retreat  brings  forth  its  young.  Its  litter  is  never 
above  three  or  four  at  a  time  ;  they  are  brought  forth  with  the 
eyes  clofed,  as  in  all  the  reft  of  this  kind,  and  very  foon  come 
to  a  ftate  of  perfection.  The  dam  compenfates  for  her  own 
deficiency  of  milk,  by  bringing  them  eggs  and  livo  birds,  accuf- 
toming  them,  from  the  beginning,  to  a  life  of  carnage  and  ra- 
pine. When  me  leads  them  from  the  neft  into  the  woods,  the 
birds  at  once  diftinguim  their  enemies,  and  attend  them,  as  we 
before  obferved  of  the  fox,  with  all  the  marks  of  alarm  and  ani- 
mofity.  Wherever  the  martin  conduces  her  young,  a  flock  of 
fmall  birds  are  feen  threatening  and  infulting  her,  alarming 
every  thicket,  and  often  directing  the  hunter  in  his  purfuit. 

The  martin  is  more  common  in  North-America,  than 
in  any  part  of  Europe.  Thefe  animals  are  found  in  all  the  nor- 
thern parts  of  the  world,  from  Siberia,  to  China  and  Canada. 
In  every  country  they  are  hunted  for  their  furs,  which  are  very 
valuable,and  chiefly  fo  when  taken  in  the  beginning  of  winter. 
The  moft  eileemed  part  of  the  martin's  {kin,  is  that  part  of  it 
which  is  browner  than  the  reft,  and  ftretches  along  the  back- 

*  Brook's  Natural  Hiftory, 


ANIMALS   OF   THE 

bone.  Above  twelve  thoufand  of  thefe  fkins  are  annually  im- 
ported into  England  from  Hudfon's  Bay,  and  above  thirty 
thoufand  from  Canada. 


THE    SABLE. 

MOST  of  the  clafles  of  the  weafel  kind  would  have  conti- 
nued utterly  unknown  and  disregarded,  were  it  not  for  their 
furs,  which  are  finer,  more  glofiy  and  foft,  than  thofe  of  any 
other  quadruped.  Their  difpofitions  are  fierce  and  untameable  ; 
their  fcent  generally  offenfive ;  and  their  figure  difproportion- 
ed  and  unpleafing.  The  knowledge  of  one  or  two  of  them, 
would,  therefore,  have  fufficed  curio fity  ;  and  the  reft  would 
probably  have  been  confounded  together,  under  one  common 
name,  as  things  ufelefs  and  uninterefting,  had  not  their  fkins 
been  coveted  by  the  vain,  and  confidered  as  capable  of  adding 
to  human  magnificence  or  beauty. 

Of  all  thefe,  however,  the  fkin  of  the  fable  is  the  mofl  coveted, 
and  held  in  the  higheft  efleem.  It  is  of  a  bro\vnifh  black,  and 
Ithe  darker  it  is,  it  becomes  the  more  valuable.  A  {ingle  fkin, 
though  not  above  four  inches  broad,  is  often  valued  at  ten  or 
fifteen  pounds* ;  the  fur  differing  from  others  in  this,  that  it 
has  no  grain  ;  fo  that  rub  it  which  way  you  will,  it  is  equally 
fmooth  and  unrefifting.  Neverthelefs,  though  this  little  animal's 
robe  was  fo  much  coveted  by  the  great,  its  hiftory  till  of  late 
was  but  very  little  known  ;  and  we  are  obliged  to  mr.  Jonelin 
for  the  firft  accurate  defcription  of  its  form  and  naturef .  From 
him  we  learn  that  the  fable  refembles  the  martin  in  form  and 
fize,  and  the  weafel  in  the  number  of  its  teeth  ;  for  it  is  to  be 
obferved,  that,  whereas,  the  martin  has  thirty-eight  teeth,  the 
weafel  has  but  thirty-four ;  in  this  refpeft,  therefore,  the  fable 
feems  to  make  the  {hade  between  thefe  two  animals ;  being 
ihaped  like  the  one,  and  furnifhed  with  teeth  like  the  other.  It 
is  alfo  furnifhed  with  very  large  whifkers  about  the  mouth  ;  its 
feet  are  broad,  and,  as  in  the  reft  of  its  kind,  furnifhed  with 

*  Renard.  f  BufFon,  vol.  xxvii.  p.  113. 


WEASEL    KIND.  217 

five  claws  on  each  foot.  Thefe  are  its  conftant  marks  ;  but  its 
fur,  for  which  it  is  fo  much  valued,  is  not  always  the  fame. 
Some  of  this  fpecies  are  of  a  dark  brown  over  all  the  body,  ex- 
cept the  ears  and  the  throat,  where  the  hair  is  rather  yellow  ; 
others  are  more  of  the  ycllowifti  tincture,  their  ears  and  throat 
being  alib  much  paler.  Thefe,  in  both,  are  the  colours  they 
hate  in  winter,  and  which  they  are  feen  to  change  in  the  begin- 
ning of  the  fpring  ;  the  former  becoming  of  a  yellow  brown, 
the  latter  of  a  pale  yellow.  In  other  refpeds,  they  refemble 
their  kind,  in  vivacity,  agility,  and  inquietude  ;  in  fleeping  by 
day  and  feeking  their  prey  by  night ;  in  living  upon  fmaller 
animals,  and  in  the  difagreeable  odour  that  chiefly  characterises 
their  race. 

They  generally  inhabit  along  the  banks  of  rivers,  in  fhady 
places,  and  in  the  thick --ft  woods.  They  leap  with  great  eafe 
from  tree  to  tree,  and  are  faid  to  be  afraid  of  the  fun,  which 
tr.rniihes  the  luftre  of  their  robes.  They  are  chiefly  hunted  in 
winter  for  their  ikins  ;  during  which  part  of  the  year  they  are 
only  in  feafon.  They  are  moftly  found  in  Siberia,  and  but  ve- 
ry few  in  any  other  country  of  the  world  ;  and  this  fcarcity  it 
13  which  enhances  their  value.  The  hunting  of  the  fable,  chiefly 
falls  to  the  lot  of  the  condemned  criminals,  who  are  fent  from 
Ruffia  into  thefe  wild  arid  extenfive  forefts,  that,  for  a  great 
part  of  the  year,  are  covered  with  fnow  ;  and  in  this  inftance, 
as  in  many  others,  the  luxuries  and  ornaments  of  the  vain,  are 
wrought  out  of  the  dangers  and  miferies  of  the  wretched. 
Thefe  are  obliged  to  furniih  a  certain  number  of  fkins  every 
year,  and  are  punifhed  if  the  proper  quantity  be  not  provided. 

The  fable  is  alfo  killed  by  the  Ruffian  foldiers,  who  are  fent 
into  thofe  parts  to  that  end.  They  are  taxed  a  certain  number 
of  ikins  yearly,  like  the  former,  and  are  obliged  to  (hoot  with 
a  (ingle  ball,  to  avoid  fpoiling  the  fkin,  or  elfe  with  crois-bows 
and  blunt  arrows.  As  an  encouragement  to  the  hunters,  they 
are  allowed  to  (hare  among  themfelves  the  furplus  of  thofe 
ikins  which  they  thus  procure;  and  this,  in  the  procefsof  fix  or 
feven  years,  amounts  to  a  very  confiderable  fum.  A  colonel, 
Curing  his  feven-years  itay,  gains  about  four  thoufand  crowns 
VOL.  II.  2  E 


si«  ANIMALS  OF  THE 

for  his  fhare,  and  the  common  men,  fix  or  fevcn  hundred  tad* 
for  theirs. 


THE     ICHNEUMON. 

THE  ichneumon,  which  fome  have  injudicioufly  denomina* 
ted  the  cat  of  Pharaoh,  is  one  of  the  boldcfl  and  mod  ufeful 
animals  of  all  the  weafel  kind.  In  the  kingdom  of  Egypt,  where 
it  is  chiefly  bred,  it  is  ufed  for  the  fame  purpofes  that  cats  are 
in  Europe,  and  is  even  more  ferviceable,  as  being  more  expert 
in  catching  mice  than  they*  This  animal  is  ufually  of  the  fizc  of 
the  martin,  and  greatly  refembles  it  in  appearance,  except  that 
the  hair,  which  is  of  a  grifly  bl.ick,  is  much  rougher  and  lefs 
downy.  The  tail  alfo  is  not  fc  bufhy  at  the  end  ;  and  each  hair 
in  particular  has  three  or  fcur  colours,  which  are  fecn  in  differ- 
ent difpofitions  of  its  body.  Under  its  rougher  hairs,  there  is 
a  fofter  fur  of  a  brownifh  colour,  the  rough  hair  being  about  two 
inches  long,  but  that  of  the  muzzle  extremely  fhort,  as  likewife 
that  on  the  legs  and  paws.  However,  being  long  fince  brought 
into  a  domedic  (late,  there  are  many  varieties  in  this  animal ; 
fome  being  much  larger  than  the  martin,  others  much  lefs ; 
fome  being  of  a  lighter  mixture  of  colours,  and  fome  being 
ftreaked  in  the  manner  of  a  cat. 

The  ichneumon,  with  all  the  itrength  of  a  cat,  has  more  in- 
flinct  and  agility  ;  a  more  univerfal  appetite  for  carnage,  and 
a  greater  variety  of  powers  to  procure  it*.  Rats,  mice,  birds, 
ferpents,  lizard  and  infects,  are  all  equally  purfued  ;  it  attacks 
every  living  thing  which  it  is  able  to  overcome,  and  indifcri- 
minately  preys  on  flefh  of  all  kinds.  Its  courage  is  equal  to  the 
vehemence  of  its  appetite.  It  fears  neither  the  force  of  the  dog 
nor  the  infidious  malice  of  the  cat ;  neither  the  claws  of  the 
vulture  nor  the  poifon  of  the  viper.  It  makes  war  upon  all  kinds 
of  ferpents  with  great  avidity,  ftizcs  and  kills  them  how  veno- 
mous foever^they  be  ;  and  we  are  told,  that  when  it  begins  to 

*  The  reft  of  this  c'efcription  is  extracted  in.m   Air.  Lt.fTon,  except  where 
marked  with  inverted  commas, 


WEASEL  KIND. 

perceive  the  effects  of  their  rage,  it  has  recourfe  to  a  certain 
root,  which  the  Indians  call  after  its  name,  and  aflert  to  be  an 
antidote  for  the  bite  of  the  afp  or  the  viper. 

But  what  this  animal  is  particularly  ferviceable  to  the  Egyp- 
tians for,  is,  that  it  difcovers  and  deftroys  the  eggs  of  the  croco- 
dile. It  alfo  kills  the  young  ones  that  have  not  as  yet  been  able 
to  reach  the  water ;  and,  as  fable  ufually  goes  hand  in  hand 
with  truth,  it  is  faid,  that  the  ichneumon  fometimes  enters  the 
mouth  of  the  crocodile,  when  it  is  found  fleeping  on  the  more, 
boldly  attacks  the  enemy  in  the  infide,  and  at  length,  when  it 
has  effectually  deftroyed  it,  it  eats  its  way  out  again. 

The  ichneumon  when  wild,  generally  refides  along  the  banks 
of  rivers  •,  and,  in  times  of  inundation,  makes  to  the  higher 
ground,  often  approaching  inhabited  places  in  queft  of  r 
It  goes  forward  filently  and  cautioufly,  changing  its  manner  of 
movingaccording  to  its  neceflities.  Sometimes  itcarries  the  head 
high,  (hortens  its  body,  and  raifes  itfelf  upon  its  legs  -9  fome- 
times it  lengthens  itfelf,  and  feems  to  creep  along  the  ground  ; 
it  is  often  obferved  to  fit  upon  its  hind  legs,  like  a  dog  when 
taught  to  beg ;  but  more  commonly  it  is  feen  to  dart  like  an- 
arrow  upon  its  prey,  and  feize  it  with  irrevitable  certainty.  Its 
eyes  are  fprightly  and  full  of  fire,  its  phyfiognomy  fenfible,  its 
bodv  nimble,  its  tail  long,  and  its  hair  rough  and  various.  Like 
all  of  its  kind,  it  has  glands  that  open  behind  and  furnifh  an 
odorous  fubftance.  Its  nofe  is  too  (harp  and  its  mouth  too  fmall 
to  permit  its  feizing  things  that  are  large  j  however,  it  makes  up 
by  its  courage  and  activity  its  want  of  arms  ;  it  eafily  ftran- 
gles  a  cat,  though  ftrorager  and  larger  than  itfelf ;  and  often 
fights  with  dogs,  which,  though  never  fo  bold,  learn  to  dread 
the  ichneumon  as  a  formidable  enemy.  It  alfo  takes  the  water 
like  the  otter,  and,  as  we  are  told,  will  continue  under  it  much 
longer.  This  animal  grows  faft  and  dies  foon.  It  is  found  ia 
great  numbers  in  all  the  fourhern  parts  of  Afia,  from  Egypt  to 
Java  ;  and  it  is  alfo  found  in  Africa,  particularly  at  the  Cape  of 
Good  Hope.  It  is  domeftic,  as  was  faid,  in  Egypt  j  but,  in  our 
colder  climates,  it  is  not  eafy  to  breeder  maintain  them,  as  they. 


220  ANIMALS   OF   THE 

are  not  able  to  fupport  the  rigour  of  our  winters.  Nevertheless, 
they  take  every  precaution  that  inftinft  can  dictate,  to  keep 
themfelves  warm  ;  they  wrap  themfelves  up  into  a  ball,  hiding 
the  head  between  the  legs,  and  in  this  manner  continue  to  deep. 
all  day  long.  "  Seha  had  one  fent  him  from  the  iiland  of  Cey- 
lon, which  he  p  rmitted  to  run  for  fome  months  about  the 
ho ufe..  It  was  heavy  and  flothful  by  day,  and  often  could  not 
be  awaked  even  with  a  blow  j  but  it  made  up  for  this  indo- 
Itnce  by  its  nocturnal  activity,  fmelling  about  without  either 
being  wholly  tame  or  wholly  miichievous.  It  climbed  up  the 
walls  and  the  trees  with  very  great  eafe,  and  appeared  extremely 
fond  of  fpiders  and  worms,  which  it  preferred,  probably  from 
their  refemblance  to  ferpenrs,  its  moft  natural  food.  It  was 
alfo  particularly  eager  to  fcratch  up  holes  in  the  ground  ;  and, 
this  added  to  its  wildnefs  and  uncleanlinefs,  obliged  our  natu- 
ralift  to  fmother  it  in  fpirits,  in  order  to  prcferve,  and  add  it  to 
the  reft  of  his  collection." 

This  animal  was  one  of  thofe  formerly  wormipped  by  the. 
Egyptians,  who  confidered  every  thing  that  was  ferviceable  to 
them  as  an  emanation  of  the  Deity,  and  wormipped  fuch  as  the 
beft  reprefentatives  t  God  belov  .  Indeed,  if  we  confmer  the. 
number  of  eggs  which  the  crocodile  lays  in  the  fand  at  a  time, 
which  often  amount  to  three  or  four  hundred,  we  have  rcafon 
to  admire  this  little  animal's  ufefulnefs,  as  well  as  induftry,  in 
deftroying  them,  fmce  otherwife  the  crocodile  might  be  pro-, 
duced  in  fufficient  numbers  to  over-run  the  whole  earth. 


THE    STINKARDS; 

THIS  is  a  name  which  our  failors  give  to  one  or  two  ani- 
mals of  the  weafel  kind,  which  are  chiefly  found  in  America, 
All  the  weafel  kind,  as  was  already  obfcrvcd,  have  a  very  ftrong 
fmell  -,  fome  of  them,  indeed,  approaching  to  a  perfume,  but 
the  greateft  number  moft  infupportably  foetid.  But  the  fmell 
of  our  weafels,  and  ermines,  and  polecats,,  is  fragrant  itfelf, 
when  compared  to  that  of  the  fqunjlj  and  the  Jkink,  which 


i  bin  r  i 


WEASEL  KIN  221 

liave  been  called   the  polecats  of  America,    Thefe  two  are 
found  in  different  parts  of  America,   both  di:Tlnn0  in  colour 
.and   iur,    but  both  obvioufiy  of  the   weak!  kind,   as  ap; 
not   only  from  their  iigure  and  odour,   but   aho  from  their 
diipofition.  The  .ibout  the  fize  of  a  polecat,  its  hair 

of  a  ueep  brown,  "but  principally  dilrlring  from  ail  ot  this 
kind,  in  having  only  four  toes  on  the  feet  before,  whereas  all 
other  weak  Is  have  five.  The  Jkink,  which  I  take  to  be  Catei- 
by's  Virginia  pc  .  mbles  a  polecat  in  ihape  and  fize, 

but  particularly  differs  in  the  length  of  its  hair  and  colour. 
The  hair  is  above  three  inches  and  a  half  long,  and  that  at 
the  end  oi  the  tail  above  four  inches,  he  colour  is  partly 
black  and  partly  white,  varioufly  difpofed  over  the  body,  very 
gloily,  long,  and  beautiful.  There  teem  to  be  two  varieties 
more  of  this  animal,  which  mr.  BufFon  calls  the  conepite 
and  the  zoriile.  He  fuppofcs  each  to  be  a  diltincl  fpecies  ; 
but,  as  they  are  both  faid  to  reiemble  the  polecat  in  form,  and 
both  to  .be  clothed  with  long  fur  of  a  black  and  white  co*- 
lour,  it  fecms  needlefs  to  make  a  diiiinction.  The  conepatc 
refembles  the  ikhik  in  all  things  except  in  fize,  being  fmailer, 
and  in  t  'don  of  its  colours,  which  are  more  exact, 

having  five  white  rtripes  upon  a  bkv.  !,  running  Ic. 

tudinally  from  the  head  to  the  tail.  The  zoriile  refembles  the 
(kink,  but  is  rather  fmaller  and  more  beautifully  coloured,  its 
(breaks  of  black  and  white  being  more  diilincl,  and  the  co- 
lours of  its  tail  1  k  at  its  infertion  and  white  at  the 
extremity ;  whereas  in  the  fkink  they  are  ail  of  one  grey  co- 
lour. 

But  whatever  differences  there  may  bs  in  the  figure  or  co- 
lour of  thefe  little  animals,  they  all  agree  in  one  common 
feftion,  that  of  being  intolerably  foetid  and  loathfome.  I  have 
already  obferved  that  ail  the  weafel  kind  have  glands  furnifh- 
ing  an  odorous  matter,  near  the  the  conduits  of  w; 

generally  have  their  aperture  juft  at  ifs  opening.    That  fi 
ftance  which  is  ftored  up  in  thefe  receptacles,  is  in  fome  of 
this  kind,  fuch  as  in  the  martin,  already  mentioned,  and  aif  j 
in  the  genet  and  the  civet,  to  be  defcribed  hereafter,  a  mod 


ANIMALS  OF  THE 

grateful  perfume  ;  but  in  the  weafel,  the  ermine,  the  ferret, 
and  the  polecat,  it  is  extremely  foetid  and  offenfive.  Theft: 
glands  in  the  animals  now  under  confederation  are  much  lar- 
ger, and  furnifti  a  matter  fublimed  to  a  degree  of  putrefcence 
that  is  truly  amazing.  As  to  the  perfumes  of  mufk  and  civet, 
v.rc  know  that  a  (ingle  grain  will  dirFufe  itfelf  over  a  whole 
|ioufe,  and  continue  for  months  to  fprenti  an  agreeable  odour, 
without  diminution.  However,  the  perfume  of  the  mulk  or 
the  civet  is  nothing,  either  for  ftrength  or  duration,  to  the 
insupportable  odour  of  thefe.  It  is  ufually  voided  with  their 
excrement  ;  and,  if  but  a  lingle  drop  happens  to  touch  any 
part  of  a  man's  garment,  it  is  more  than  probable  that  he  can 
never  wear  any  part  of  it  more. 

In  defcribing  the  effects  produced  by  the  excrement  of  thefe 
animals,  we  often  hear  of  its  raifing  this  diabolical  fmell  by 
its  urine.  However,  of  this  I  am  apt  to  doubt ;  and  it  (hould 
feem  to  me,  that,  as  all  the  weafel  kind  have  their  excre- 
ments fo  extremely  fcetid  from  the  caufe  above-mentioned, 
YV  e  may  confider  thefe  alfo,  as  being  fcetid  from  the  fame  cau- 
fes.  Befides,  they  arc  not  furnilhed  with  glands  to  give  their 
urine  ftich  a  fmeil ;  and  the  analogy  between  them  and  the 
weafel  kind-  being  fo  ftrong  in  other  refpects,  we  may  fuppofe 
they  refemble  each  other  in  this.  It  has  alfo  been  faid,  that 
they  take  this  method  of  ejecting  their  excrement  to  defend 
themfelves  againft  their  pur fuers  ;  but  it  is  much  more  pro- 
bable that  this  ejection  is  the  convulfive  efrecl:  of  terror,  and 
that  it  ferves  as  their  defence  without  their  own  concurrence. 
Certain  it  is,  that  they  never  fmell  thus  horridly  except  when 
enraged  or  affrighted,  for  they  are  often  kept  tame  about  the 
ho u fes  of  the  planters  of  America  without  being  very  of- 
fenfivc. 

The  habitudes  of  all  ihefr  animals  are  the  fame,  living  like 
nil  the  reft  of  the  weafel  kind,  aS  they  prey  upon  fmaller  ani- 
mals and  birds'  eggs.    The  fquafh,  for  iriftance,  burrows  like 
the  polecat  in  the  clefts  of  rocks,  where   it  brings  forth  its 
i!"-.    It  often  ileals  into  farm-yards,  and  kills  the  poultry,. 


WEASEL  KIND.  lit 

eating  only  their  brains.  Nor  is  it  fafe  to  purfue  or  offend  it> 
for  then  it  calls  up  all  its  fcents,  which  are  its  moft  powerful 
protection.  At  that  time,  neither  men  nor  dogs  will  offer  to 
approach  it  -,  the  fcent  is  fo  ftrong,  that  it  reaches  for  half  a 
mile  round,  and  more  near  at  hand  is  almoit  {lifting.  If  the 
dogs  continue  to  purfue,  it  does  all  in  its  power  to  efcape,  by 
getting  up  a  tree,  or  by  forne  fuch  means  ;  but  if  driven  to 
an  extremity,  it  then  kts  fly  upon  the  hunters  ;  and  if  it 
mould  happen  that  p.  drop  of  this  foetid  difcharge  falls  in  the 
eye,  the  perfon  run;-,  the  rifque  of  being  blinded  forever  • 

The  dogs  themfelves  inftantly  abate  of  their  ardour  when 
they  find  this  extraordinary  battery  played  off  againft  them  •, 
they  inflantly  turn  tail,  and  leave  the  animal  undifputed  maf- 
ter  of  the  field  ;  and  no  exhortations  can  ever  bring  them  to 
rally.  "  In  the  year  :  ays  Kalm,  "  one  of  thefe  ani- 

mals came  near  the  farm  where  I  lived.  It  wus  in  winter 
time,  during  the  night  ;  and  the  dogs  that  were  upon  the 
watch,  purfucd  it  for  fume  time,  until  it  difcharged  againft 
them.  Although  I  was  in  my  bed  a  good  way  off,  I  thought 
I  fliould  have  been  fuffocated  j  and  the  cows,  and  oxen  them- 
felves  by  their  lo wings,  fhowed  how  much  they  were  affec- 
ted by  the  flench.  About  the  end  of  the  fame  year,  another  of 
thefe  animals  crept  into  our  cellar,  but  did  not  exhale  the 
fmalleft  fcent,  becaufe  it  was  not  diflurbed.  A  foolim  woman, 
however,,  who  perceived  it  at  night,  by  the  mining  of  its  eyes, 
killed  it,  and  at  that  moment  its  flench  began  to  fpread.  The 
whole  cellar  was  filled  with  it  to  fuch  a  degree,  that  the  wo- 
man kept  her  bed  for  feveral  days  after  ;  and  all  the  bread, 
meat,  and  other  provifions,  that  were  kept  there,  were  fo  in- 
fecled,  that  they  were  obliged  to  be  thrown  out  of  doors." 
Neverthelefs,  many  of  the  planters,  and  the  native  Americans, 
keep  this  animal  tame  about  their  houfes  5  and  feldom  per- 
ceive any  difagrteable  fcents,  except  it  is  injured  or  fright- 
ened. They  are  alfo  known  to  eat  its  flefli,  which  fome  affert 
to  be  tolerable  food ;  however,  they  take  care  to  deprive  it  of 
thofe  glands  which  are  fo  horridly  offenfive. 

*  Voyage  dc  Kalm,  as  quoted  by  Buffon,  vol.  ixvii  p.  93. 


A  N I  M  A  L  S  O  F  T II E 


THE     GENET. 

FROM  the  fquafh,  which  is  the  moil  offenfive  animal  i& 
i-mure  we  come  to  the  genet,  which  is  one  of  the  moil  beau- 
tiful and  pleafing.  Initead  of  the  horrid  ftench  with  which 
the  former  affects  us,  this  has  a  moil  grateful  odour  ;  more 
faint  than  civet,  but  to  fome,  for  thut  reafon,  more  agreeable. 
This  animal  is  lefs  than  the  martin  ;  though  there  are  genets 
of  different  fizes  ;  and  I  have  feen  one  rather  larger.  It  alfo 
differs  fomewhat  in  the  form  of  its  body.  It  is  not  eafy,  in 
words,  to  give  an  idea  of  the  diilmclion.  It  refembles  all  thofe 
of  the  w~afel  kind,  in  iis  length  compared  to  its  heighth  ;  it 
refembles  them  in  having  a  foft  beautiful  fur,  in  having  its  feet 
armed  with  claws  that  csnnot  be  fheathed,  and  in  it's  appetite 
for  petty  carnage.  But  then  it  differs  from  them  in  having  the 
nofe  much  fmaller  and  longer,  rather  refembling  that  of  a  fox 
than  a  weafel.  The  tail  alfo,  inftead  of  being  bufliy,  tapers  to  a 
point,  and  is  much  longer  j  its  ears  are  larger,  and  its  paws  fmal- 
ler. As  to  its  colours,  and  figure  in  general,  the  genet  is  fpotted 
with  black,  upon  a  ground  mixed  with  red  and  grey.  It  has 
two  forts  of  hair,  the  one  {hotter  aiid  fcfter,  the  other  longer 
and  ilronger,  but  not  above  half  an  inch  long  on  any  part  of  its 
body,  except  the  tail.  Its  fpots  are  diftinft  and  feparate  upon 
the  fides,  but  unite  towards  the  back,  and  form  black  flripes, 
which  run  longitudinally  from  the  neck  backwards.  It  has 
alfo  along  the  back  a  kind  of  mane  or  longifh  hair,  which 
forms  a  black  ftreak  from  the  head  to  the  tail,  \\hich  lad  is 
marked  with  rings,  alternately  black  and  white,  its  whole 
length. 

The  genet,  like  all  the  reft  of  the  xveafel  kinds,  has  glands, 
that  feparate  a  kind  of  perfume,  refembling  civet,  but  which 
foon  flies  off.  Thefe  glands  open  differently  from  thofe  of  other 
animals  of  this  kind  ;  for  as  the  latter  have  their  apertures 
jaft  at  the  opening  of  the  anus,  thefc  have  their  aperture 
immediately  under  it  ;  fo  that  the  male  feems,  for  this  rea- 
fon, to  the  fuperficial  obferver,  to  be  of  two  fexes. 


WEASEL   KIND.  125 

It  refembles  the  martin  very  much  in  its  habits  and  difpo- 
fition*  ;  except  that  it  feems  tamed  much  more  eafily.  Bello- 
nius  allures  us,  that  he  has  feen  them   in  the  houfes  at  Gon- 
flantinople  as  tame  as  cats ;  and  that  they  were  permitted  to 
run  every  where  about,  without  doing  the  lead  mifchief.  For 
this  reafon,  they  have  been  called  the  cats  of  Conftantinople  ; 
although  they  have  little  elfe  in  common  with  that  animal, 
except  their  fkill  in  fpying  out  and  deftroying  vermin.    Natu- 
ralifts  pretend  that  it  inhabits  only  the  moifter  grounds,  and 
chiefly  refides  along  the  banks  of  rivers,  having  never  been, 
found  in  mountains,  or  dry  places.    The  fpecies  is  not  much 
diffufed  ;  it  is  not  to  be  found  in  any  part  of  Europe,  except 
Spain  and  Turkey  ;  it  requires  a  warm  climate  to  fubfift  and 
multiply  in  ;  and  yet,  it  is  not  to  be  found  in  the  warmer  re- 
gions either  of  India  or  Africa.    From  fuch  as  have  feen  its 
ufes  at  Conftantinople,  I  learn,  that  it  is  one  of  the  moft  beau- 
tiful, cleanly,   and  induftrious  animals  in  the  world  j  that  it 
keeps  whatever  houfe  it  is  in,  perfectly  free  from  mice  and 
rats,  which  cannot  endure  its  fmell.     Add  to  this,  its  nature 
is  mild  and  gentle,  its  colours  various  and  gloffy,  its  fur  valu- 
able ;  and  upon,  the  \srhole,  it  feems  to  be  one  of  thofe  ani- 
mals, that,  with  proper  care,  might  be  propagated  amongft 
us,  and  might  become  one  of  the  moft  ferviceable  of  our  do- 
meftics. 


THE    CIVET. 

PROCEEDING  from  the  fmaller  to  the  greater  of  this 
kind,  we  come,  in  the  laft  place,  to  the  civet,  which  is  much 
larger  than  any  of  the  former ;  for,  as  the  martin  is  not  above 
fixtcen  inches  long,  the  civet  is  found  to  be  above  thirty.  Mr. 
Buffon  diftinguifhes  this  fpecies  into  two  kinds  ;  one  of  w  hich 
he  calls  the  civet,  and  the  other  the  zibet.  The  latter  princi- 
pally differs  from  the  former,  in  having  the  body  longer  and 
more  flender,  the  nofc  fmaller,  the  ears  longer  snd  broader  y 

*  Buffon,  vol.  xix.  p,  187. 

VOL.  II. 


226  ANIMALS  OF  THE 

no  mane  or  long  hair  running  down  the  back  in  the  latter  £ 
and  the  tail  is  longer,  and  better  marked  with  rings  of 
different  colours,  from  one  end  to  the  other.  Theie  are 
the  differences  which  have  induced  this  great  naturalift  to 
fuppofe  them  animals  of  diftincT:  fpecies  ;  and  to  allot  each  a 
feparate  defcription.  How  far  future  experience  may  confirm 
this  conjecture,  time  mud  difcover  ;  but  certain  it  is,  that  if 
fuch  fmall  varieties  make  a  feparate  clafs,  there  may  be  many 
other  animals  equally  entitled  to  peculiar  diftin&ion,  that 
now  are  cl'affed  together.  We  (hall,  therefore,  content  our- 
felves,  at  prefent,  with  confidering,  as  former  naturalifts  have 
done,  thefe  two  merely  as  varieties  of  the  fame  animal,  and 
only  altered  in  figure,  by  climate,  food,  or  education. 

The  civet  refembles  animals  of  the  weafel  kind  in  the  long 
flendernefs  of  its  body,  the  ihortnefs  of  its  legs,  the  odorous 
matter  that  exudes  from  the  glands  behind,  the  foftnefs  of 
its  fur,  the  number  of  its  claws,  and  their  incapacity  of  being 
fheathed.  It  differs  from  them  in  being  much  larger  than  any 
hitherto  defcribed  ;  in  having  the  nofe  lengthened,  fo  as  ta 
refemble  that  of  the  fox  ;  the  tail  long,  and  tapering  to  a 
point ;  and  its  ears  flraight,  like  thofe  of  a  cat.  The  colour  of 
the  civet  varies  ;  it  is  commonly  afh,  fpotted  with  black  ; 
though  it  is  whiter  m  the  female,  tending  to  yellow  ;  and  the 
fpots  are  much  larger,  like  thofe  of  a  panther.  The  colour  on 
the  belly,  and  under  the  throat,  is  black ;  whereas  the  other 
parts  of  the  body  are  black  or  ftreaked  with  grey.  This  ani- 
mal varies  in  its  colour,  being  fometimes  ftreaked,  as  in  our 
kind  of  cats  called  tabbies.  It  has  whifkers,  like  the  reft  of 
its  kind,  and  its  eyes  are  black  and  beautiful. 

The  opening  of  the  pouch  or  bag,  which  is  the  receptacle 
of  the  civet,  differs  from  that  of  the  r-eft  of  the  weafel  kind,, 
not  opening  into,  but  under  the  anus.  Betides  this  opening, 
which  is  large,  there  is  ftill  another  lower  down  ;  buc  for  what 
purpofes  defigned,  is  not  known.  The  pouch  itfelf  is  about 
two  inches  and  a  half  broad,  and  two  long  ;  its  opening  makes 
a  chink,  from  the  top  downwards,  that  is  about  two  inches 
and  a  half  long  ;  and  it  is  covered  on  the  edges,  and  within^ 


I 
WEASEL  KIND.  227 

with  fhort  hair  :  when  the  two  fides  are  drawn  afunder,  the 
inward  cavity  may  be  feen  large  enough  to  hold  a  (mall  pul- 
let's egg  ;  all  round  this  are  fmall  glands,  opening  and  fur- 
nifhing  that  ftrong  perfume  which  is  fo  well  known,  and  is 
found,  in  this  pouch,  of  the  colour  and  confidence  of  poma- 
tum. Thofe  who  make  it  their  bufmefs  to  breed  thefe  animals 
for  their  perfume,  ufuully  take  it  from  them  twice  or  thrice  a 
week,  and  fometimes  oftener.  The  animal  is  kept  in  a  long 
fort  of  a  box,  in  which  it  cannot  turn  round.  The  perfon, 
therefore,  opens  this  box  behind,  drags  the  animal  backwards 
by  the  tail,  keeps  it  in  this  pofition  by  a  bar  before,  and,  with  a 
wooden  fpoon,  takes  the  civet  from  the  pouch,  as  carefully  as 
he  can;  then  lets  the  tail  go,  and  (huts  the  box  again.  The 
perfume,  thus  procured,  is  put  into  a  veflel,  which  he  takes  care 
to  keep  (hut;  and  when  a  fufficient  quantity  is  procured,  it  is 
fold  to  very  gveat  advantage. 

The  civet  *,  although  a  native  of  the  warmed  climates,  is 
found  yet  to  live  in  temperate,  and  even  cold  countries,  pro- 
vided it  be  defended  carefully  from  the  injuries  of  the  air. 
Wherefore,  it  is  not  only  bred  among  the  Turks,  the  Indians, 
and  Africans,  but  great  numbers  of  thefe  animals  are  alfo  bred 
in  Holland,  where  this  fcrapmg  people  make  no  fmall  gain  of 
its  perfume.  The  perfume  of  Amilerdam  is  reckoned  the  pureil 
of  any;  the  people  of  other  countries  adulterating  it  with  gums, 
and  other  matters,  which  diminifh  its  value,  but  increafe  its 
weight.  The  quantity  which  a  fmgle  animal  affords  generally 
depends  upon  its  health  and  nouriihment.  It  gives  more  in  pro- 
portion as  it  is  more  delicately  and  abundantly  fed.  Raw  llefli, 
haftied  fmall,  eggs,  rice,  birds,  young  fowls,  and  particularly 
fiih,  are  the  kinds  of  food  the  civet  mod  delights  in.  Thefe  are 
to  be  changed  and  altered,  to  fuit  and  entice  its  appetite,  and 
continue  its  health.  It  gets  but  very  little  water;  and  although  it 
drinks  but  rarely,  yet  it  makes  urine  very  frequently;  and,  up- 
on fuch  occafions,  we  cannot,  as  in  other  animals,  diftinguifh 
the  male  from  the  female. 

*  B.uffon,  vol.  iix, 


ANIMALS  OF  THE 

The  perfume  of  the  civet  is  fo  ftrong,  that  it  communi- 
cates itfelf  to  all  parts  of  the  animal's  body  :  the  fur  is  impreg- 
nated thereby,  and  the  Ikin  penetrated  to  fuch  a  degree,  that 
it  continues  to  preferve  the  odour  for  a  long  time  after  it  is 
flript  off.  If  a  perfon  be  fhut  up  with  one  of  them  in  a  clofe 
room,  he  cannot  fupport  the  perfume,  which  is  fo  copioufly 
diffufed.  When  the  animal  is  irritated,  as  in  all  the  weafel 
kind,  its  fcent  is  much  more  violent  than  ordinary  ;  and  if  it 
be  tormented  fo  as  to  make  it  f\veat,  this  alfo  is  a  ftrong  per- 
fume, and  ferves  to  adulterate  or  increafe  what  is  otherwife 
obtained  from  it.  In  general,  it  is  fold  in  Holland,  for  about 
fifty  fhillings  an  ounce  ;  though,  like  all  other  commodities, 
its  value  alters  in  proportion  to  the  demand.  Civet  muft  be 
chofen  new,  of  a  good  confidence,  a  whitifh  colour,  and  a 
flrong,  difagreeable  frnell.  There  is  dill  a  very  confiderable 
traffic  carried  on  from  Bufferah,  Calicut,  and  other  places  in 
India,  where  the  animal  that  produces  it  is  bred  •,  from  the  Le- 
vant alfo,  from  Guinea,  and  efpecially  from  Brafil,  in  South- 
America,  although  mr.  Buffon  is  of  opinion  that  the  ariimal  is 
a  native  only  of  the  Old  Continent,  and  not  to  be  found  wild 
in  the  New.  The  beft  civet,  however,  is  furnifhed,  as  was 
obferved,  by  the  Dutch,  though  not  in  fuch  quantities  at  pre- 
fent  as  fome  years  pad,  when  this  perfume  was  more  in  fafhion. 
Civet  is  a  much  more  grateful  perfume  than  mufk,  to  which 
It  has  fome  refemblance  ;  and  was  fome  years  ago  ufed  for 
the  fame  purpofes  in  medicine.  But  at  prefent,  it  is  quite  dif- 
continued  in  prefcription  ;  and  perfons  of  tafte  or  elegance 
feem  to  profcribe  it  even  from  the  toilet.  Perfumes,  like  drefs, 
have  their  viciflitudes  ;  mufk  was  in  peculiar  repute,  until 
difplaced  by  civet  ;  both  gave  ground,  upon  difcovering 
the  manner  of  preparing  ambergreafe  ;  and  even  this  is  now 
difufed  for  the  lefs  powerful  vegetable  kinds  of  fragrance,  fpi- 
rit  of  lavender,  or  otter  of  rofes. 

As  to  the  reft,  the  civet  is  faid  to  be  a  wild  fierce  animal  ; 
and,  although  fometimes  tamed,  is  never  thoroughly  familiar. 
Its  teeth  are  ftrong  and  cutting,  although  its  claws  be  feeble 
and  inflexible.  It  is  light  and  active,  and  lives  by  prey,  as  the 


WEASEL   KIND.  229 

reft  of  its  kind,  purfuing  birds,  and  other  fma-I  animr.ls  that 
it  is  able  to  overcome.  They  are  foinetimes  feen  ftcniinjr  in- 
to the  yards  and  out-houfes,  to  feize  upon  the  poultry  :  their 
eyes  fhine  in  the  night,  and  it  is  very  probable,  thr.t  they  fee 
better  in  the  dark  than  by  day.  When  they  fail  of  animal  food, 
they  are  found  to  fubfilt  upon  roots  and  fruits,  and  very  feldom 
drink ;  for  which  reafon  they  are  never  found  near  great  wa- 
ters. They  breed  very  faft  in  their  native  climates,  where  the 
heat  feems  to  conduce  to  their  propagation  ;  but  in  our  tem- 
perate latitudes,  although  they  furniih  their  perfume  in  great 
quantities,  yet  they  are  not  found  to  multiply. — A  proof  that 
their  perfume  has  no  analogy  with  their  appsiite  for  genera- 
tion. 


THE     GLUTTON. 

I  WILL  add  but  one  animal  more  to  this  numerous  clafs 
of  the  weafel  kind  j  namely,  the  glutton  ;  which,  for  feveral 
reafons,  feems  to  belong  to  this  tribe,  and  this  only.  We  have 
hitherto  had  no  precife  description  of  this  quadruped  ;  feme 
refembling  it  to  a  badger,  fome  to  a  fox,  and  fome  to  a  hyaena. 
Linnseus  places  it  among  the  weafels,  from  the  fimiiitu.! 
its  teeth  ;  it  ihould  feem  to  me  to  referable  this  animal  flill 
more  from  the  great  length  of  its  body,  and  the  fhortnefs  of 
its  legs,  from  the  foftnefs  of  its  fur,  its  difagreeable  fcent, 
and  its  infatiable  appetite  for  animal  food.  Mr.  Klein,  who 
faw  one  of  them,  v.  hich  was  brought  alive  from  Siberia,  af- 
fures  us,  that  it  was  about  three  feet  longf,  and  about  a  foot 
and  a  half  high.  If  we  compare  thefe  dimenfions  with  thofe 
of  other  animals,  we  mall  find,  that  they  approach  more  near- 
ly to  the  clafs  we  are  at  prefent  defcribing  than  any  other  ; 
and  that  the  glutton  may  very  juftly  be  conceived  under  the 
form  of  a  great  overgrown  weafel.  Its  nofe,  its  ears,  its  teeth, 
and  its  long  bufhy  tail,  are  entirely  fnnilar  j  and,  as  to  what  is 

f  He  fays  it  was  an  ell,  eight  inches  long  ;  I  have,  therefore, given  its  length 
as  fuppoiiiig  it  to  Lc «,  . .  li  ib  tv/eiity-feven  inches. 


23°  ANIMALS  OF  THE 

faid  of  its  being  rather  corpulent  than  flender,  it  is  moft  pro- 
bable that  thofe  who  defcribed  it  thus,  faw  it  after  eating,  at 
which  time  its  belly  we  are  aflured  is  moft  monftroufly  diften- 
ded  ;  however,  fufpending  all  certainty  upon  this  fubjecl:,  I 
will  take  leave  rather  to  follow  Linnseus  than  BufFon  in  de- 
fcribing  this  animal  j  and  leave  future  experience  to  judge  be- 
tween them. 

The  glutton,  which  is  fo  called  from  its  voracious  appetite, 
is  an  animal  found  as  well  in  the  north  of  Europe  and  Sibe- 
ria, as  in  the  north  parts  of  America,  where  it  has  the  name 
of  the  carcajou.  Amidft  the  variety  of  defcriptions  which 
have  been  given  of  it,  no  very  juft  idea  can  be  formed  of  its 
figure  5  and,  indeed,  fome  naturalists,  among  whom  was  Ray, 
entirely  doubted  of  its  exiftence.  From  the  beft  accounts, 
however,  we  have  of  k,  the  body  is  thick  and  long,  the  legs 
fhort  -,  it  is  black  along  the  back,  and  of  a  reddifh  brown  on 
die  fides  ;  its  fur  is  held  in  the  higheft  eftimation,  for  its 
foftnefs  and  beautiful  glofs ;  the  tail  is  bufny,  like  that  of  the 
weafel,  but  rather  fhorter  ;  and  its  legs  and  claws  better  fitted 
for  climbing  trees,  than  for  running  along  the  ground.  Thus 
far  it  entirely  refembles  the  weafel ;  and  its  manner  of  taking 
its  prey  is  alfo  by  furprize,  and  not  by  purfuit. 

Scarce  any  of  the  animals  with  fhort  legs  and  long  bodies, 
purfue  their  prey  ;  but,  knowing  their  own  incapacity  to 
overtake  it  by  fwiftnefs,  either  creep  upon  it  in  its  retreats,  or 
wait  in  ambufh,  and  feize  it  with  a  bound.  The  glutton,  from 
the  make  of  its  legs,  and  the  length  of  its  body,  muft  be 
particularly  flow  ;  and,  confcquently,  its  only  refource  is  in 
taking  its  prey  by  furprize.  All  the  reft  of  the  weafel  kind, 
from  the  fmallnefs  of  their  fize,  are  better  fitted  for  a  life  of 
infidious  rapine  than  this  ;  they  can  purfue  their  prey  into 
its  retreats,  they  can  lurk  unfeen  among  the  branches  of  trees, 
and  hide  themfelves  with  eafe  under  the  leaves  :  but  the  elut- 

o 

ton  is  too  large  to  follow  fmall  prey  into  their  retreats  ;  nor 
would  fuch,  even  if  obtained,  be  fufficient  to  fuftain  it.  For 
thefe  reafons,  therefore,  this  animal  fcems  naturally  compelled. 


WEASEL  KIND'.  335 

to  the  life  for  which  it  has  long  been  remarkable.  Its  only  re- 
fburce  is  to  climb  a  tree,  which  it  does  with  great  eafe,  and 
there  it  waiu  with  patience  until  fome  large  animal  paffes  un- 
derneath, upon  which  it  darts  down  with  unerring  certainty, 
and  deftroys  it. 

It  is  chiefly  in  North-America  that  this  voracious  creature 
is  feen  lurking  among  the  thick  branches  of  trees,  in  order 
to  furprize  the  deer,  with  which  the  extenfive  forefts  of  that 
part  of  the  world  abound.  Endued  with  a  degree  of  patience 
equal  to  its  rapacity,  the  glutton  fmgles  out  fuch  trees  as  it  ob- 
ferves  marked  by  the  teeth  or  the  antlers  of  the  deer  ;  and 
is  known  to  remain  there  watching  for  feveral  days  together. 
If  it  has  fixed  upon  a  wrong  tree,  and  finds  the  deer  have 
either  left  that  part  of  the  country,  or  cautioufly  fhun  the 
place,  it  reluftantly  defcends,  purfues  the  beaver  to  its  retreat, 
or  even  ventures  into  the  water  in  purfuit  of  fifties.  But  if  it 
happens  that,  by  long  attention,  and  keeping  clofe,  at  laft  the 
elk  or  the  rein  deer  happens  to  pafs  that  way,  it  at  once  darts 
down  upon  them,  ilicks  its  claws  between  their  (boulders, 
and  remains  there  unalterably  firm.  It  is  in  vaiu  that  the  large 
frighted  animal  increafes  its  fpeed,  or  threatens  with  its 
branching  horns  ,  the  glutton  having  taken  poffeffion  of  its 
poft,  nothing  can  drive  it  off ;  its  enormous  prey  drives  ra- 
pidly along  amongfl  the  thickeft  woods,  rubs  itfelf  againfl  the 
largefl  trees,  and  tears  down  the  branches  with  its  expanded 
horns ;  but  (till  its  infatiable  foe  (licks  behind,  eating  its  neck, 
and  digging  its  paiTage  to  the  great  blood-veflels  that  lie  in  that 
part.  Travellers  who  wander  through  thofe  defarts,  often  fee 
pieces  of  the  glutton's  fkin  flicking  to  the  trees,  againft  which 
it  was  rubbed  by  the  deer.  But  the  animal's  voracity  is  greater 
than  its  feelings,  and  it  never  feizes  without  bringing  down  its 
prey.  When,  therefore,  the  deer,  wounded  and  feeble  with  the 
lofs  of  blood,  falls,  the  glutton  is  feen  to  make  up  for  its  for- 
mer abflinence,  by  its  prefent  voracity.  As  it  is  not  pofTefled 
of  a  feafl  of  this  kind  every  day,  it  refolves  to  lay  in  a  flore  to 
ferve  it  for  a  good  while  to  come.  It  is  indeed  amazing  how 
much  one  of  thefe  animals  can  eat  at  a  time  !  That  which  was 


232  ANIMALS  OF  THE 

feenby  mr.  Klein,  although  without  exercife  or  air,  although 
taken  from  its  native  climate,  and  enjoying  but  an  indifferent 
flate  of  health,  was  yet  fe^n  to  cat  thirteen  pounds  of  ilefh 
every  day,  and  ye:  remained  unsatisfied.   We  may,  therefore, 
eafily  conceive  how  much  more  it  muft  devour  at  once,  after 
a  long  faffc,  of  a  food  of  its  own  procuring,  and  in  the  climate 
rnoft   natural  to  its  confutation.     We  are  told,  accordingly, 
that  from  being  a  lank  thin  animal,   which  it  naturally  is,  it 
then  gorges  in  fuch  quantities,  that  its  belly  is  diftended,  and 
its  whole  figure  feems  to  alter.    Thus  voracioufly  it  continues 
eating  till  incapable  of  any  other  animal  fun£tion,  it  lies  to- 
tally torpid  by  the  animal  it  has  killed  ;  and5  in  this  iituation, 
continues  for  two  or  three  days.  In  this  loathfome  and  help- 
Icfs  ftate,  it  finds  its  chief  protection  from  its  horrid  fmell, 
which  few  animals  care  to  come  near*  ;  fo  that  it  continues 
eating  and  fleeping  till  its  prey  be  devoured,  bones  and  all ; 
and  then  it  mounts  a  tree,  in  quefl  of  another  adventure. 

The  glutton,  like  many  others  of  the  weafei  kind,  fecnis  to 
prefer  the  mo  ft  putrid  flefh  to  that  newly  killed  ;  and  fuch  is 
the  voracioufnefs  of  this  hateful  creature,  that,  if  ks  fwiftnefs 
and  ftrength  were  equal  to  its  rapacity,  it  would  foon  thin  the 
foreft  of  every  other  living  creature.  But,  fcrtunately,  it  is  fo 
flow  that  there  is  fcarcc  a  quadruped  that  cannot  efcape  it, 
except  the  beaver.  This,  therefore,  it  very  frequently  purfues 
upon  land  ;  but  the  beaver  generally  makes  good  its  retreat  by 
taking  to  the  water,  where  the  _j.  utton  has  no  chance  to  fuc- 
ceed.  This  purfuit  only  happens  in  fummer  ;  for,  in  the  win- 
ter, all  that  remains  is  to  attack  the  beaver's  houfe,  as  at  that 
time  it  never  ftirs  from  home.  This  attack,  however,  feldom 
fucceeds ;  for  the  beaver  has  a  covert-way  bored  under  the 
ice,  and  the  glutton  lias  only  the  trouble  and  difappointment 
of  facking  an  empty  town. 

A  life  of  neceffity  generally  produces  a  good  fertile  inven- 
tion. The  glutton,  continually  prefled  by  the  call  of  appetite, 
and  having  neither  fwiftnefs  nor  activity  to  fatisfy  it,  is  oblig™ 

*  Linnaji  Syft.  p.  6?, 


WEASEL  KIND,  233 

•cd  to  make  up  by  ftratagem  the  defeats  of  nature.  It  is 
feen  to  examine  the  traps  and  the  fnares  laid  for  other  animals, 
in  order  to  anticipate  the  fowlers.  It  is  faid  to  pra&ife  a  thou- 
fand  arts  to  procure  its  prey,  to  (leal  upon  the  retreats  of  the 
rein  deer,  the  fleih  of  which  animal  it  loves  in  preference  to 
all  others  ;  to  lie  in  wait  for  fuch  animals  as  have  been  maim- 
ed by  the  hunters  ;  to  purfue  the  ifatis  while  it  is  hunting  for 
itfelf ;  and  when  that  animal  has  run  down  its  prey,  to  come 
in  and  feize  upon  the  whole,  and  fometimes  to  devour  even 
ks  poor  provider  ;  when  thefe  purfuits  fail,   even  to.  dig  up 
the  graves,  and  fall  upon  the  bodies  interred  there,  devouring 
them  bones  and  all.  For  thefe  reafons,  the  natives  of  the  coun- 
tries where  the  glutton  inhabits,  hold  it  in  utter  deteftation, 
and  ufually  term  it  the  vulture  of  quadrupeds.  And  yet,  it  is 
extraordinary  enough,  that,  being  fo  very  obnoxious  to  man,  it 
does  not  feem  to  fear  him*.  We  are  told  by  Gemelin  of  one 
of  thefe  coming  up  boldly  and  calmly  where  there  were  feve- 
ral  perfons  at  work,  without  teftifying  the  fmalleft  apprehen- 
fion,  or  attempting  to  run  until  it  had  received  feveral  blows, 
that  at  laft  totally  difabled  it.  In  all  probability,  it  came  among 
them  feeking  its  prey  j  and  having  been  ufed  to  attack  ani- 
mals of  inferior  ftrength,  it  had  no   idea  of  a  force  fuperior 
to  its  own.  The  glutton,  like  all  the  reft  of  its  kind,  is  a  folitary 
animal ;  and  is  never  feen  in  company  except  with  its  female, 
with  which  it  couples  in  the  midft  of  winter.  The  latter  goes 
with  young  about  four  months,  and  brings  forth  two  or  three 
at  a  timef.  They  burrow  in  holes  as  the  weafel ;  and  the  male 
and  female  are  generally  found  together,  both  equally  refolutc 
in  defence  of  their  young.    Upon  this  occafion  the  boldeft 
dogs  arc  afraid  to  approach  them  ;  they  fight  obftinately,  and 
bite  moft  cruelly.  However,  as  they  are  unable  to  efcape  by- 
flight,  the  hunters  come  in  to  the  afliftance  of  the  dogs,  and 
eafily  overpower  them.  Their  £efh  it  may  readily  be  fuppofed, 
is  not  fit  to  be  eaten  ;  but  the  fkins  amply  recompenle  the 
hunters  for  their  toil  and  danger.  The  fur  has  the  mod  beau- 
tiful luftre  that  can  be  imagined,  and  is  preferred  before  all 
*  BufFon.  |  Linnxi  Syftem.  p.  67, 

VOL.  II,  2  G 


-234  ANIMALS  OF  THE 

others,  except  that  of  the  Siberian  fox,  or  the  fable.  Amomg 
other  peculiarities  of  this  animal,  Linmeus  informs  us,  that 
it  is  very  difficult  to  be  'fkinned  ;  but  from  what  caufe,  whe- 
ther its  abominable  flench,  or  the  fkin's  tenacity  to  the 
fie  has  not  thought  fit  to  inform  us. 


CHAP.     X, 

Of  Animals  of  ike  Hare  Kind. 

HAVING  defcribedin  the  laft  chapter  a  tribe  of 
fierce,  rapacious  animals,  I  come  now  to  a  race  of  mi- 
nute animals,  of  a  more  harmlefs  and  gentle  kind,  that,  with- 
out being  enemies  to  any,  are  preyed  upon  by  all.  As  nature 
has  fitted  the  farmer  for  hoftriity,  fo  it  has  entirely  formed  the 
latter  for  evafion  ;  and  as  the  one  kind  fubfift  by  their  courage 
and  activity,  fo  the  other  find  fafety  from  their  fwiftnefs  and 
their  fears.  The  hare  is  the  fwifteft  animal  in  the  world  for 
the  time  it  continues ;  and  few  quadrupeds  can  overtake  even 
the  rabbit  when  it  has  but  a  fhort  way  to  run.  To  this  clafs 
alfo  we  may  add  the  fquirrel,  fomewhat  refembling  the  hare 
and  rabbit  in  its  form  and  nature,  and  equally  pretty,  inoffen- 
five,  and  pleafing, 

If  we  were  methodically  to  diftinguifh  animals  of  the  hare 
kind  from  all  others,  we  might  fay  that  they  have  but  two  cut- 
ting teeth  above  and  two  below,  that  they  are  covered  with  a 
foft  downy  fur,  and  that  they  have  a  bufhy  tail.  The  combi- 
nation of  thefe  marks  might  perhaps  diftinguifh  them  tolera- 
bly well  ;  whether  from  the  rat,  the  beaver,  the  otter,  or  any- 
other  moft  nearly  approaching  in  form.  But,  as  I  have  declin- 
ed all  method  that  rather  ten<fc  to  embarrafs  hiftory  than  en- 
lighten it,  I  am  contented  to  clafs  thefe  animals  together  for 
no  very  precife  reafon,  but  becaufe  I  find  a  general  refem- 
blance  between  them  in  their  natural  habits,  and  in  the  fhapc 
ef  their  heads  and  body.  I  call  a  fquirrel  an  animal  of  tic 


HARE   KIND.  33 j 

tare  kind,  becaufe  it  is  fomething  like  a  hare.  I  call  the  paca 
of  the  fame  kind,  merely  becaufe  it  is  more  like  a  rabbit  than 
any  other  animal  I  know  of.  In  fhort,  it  is  fit  to  erect  fome  par- 
ticular itandard  in  the  imagination  of  the  reader,  to  refer  him 
to  fome  animal  that  he  knows,  in  order  to  direct  him.  in  con* 
ceiving  the  figure  of  fuch  as  he  does  not  know.  Still,  how- 
ever, he  fh'ould  be  apprized  that  his  knowledge  will  be  defec- 
tive without  an  examination  of  each  particular  fpecies  ;  and 
that  faying  an  animal  is  of  this  or  that  particular  kind  is  but 
2  very  trifling  part  of  its  hiftory. 

Animals  of  the  hare  kind,  like  all  others  that  feed  entirely 
upon  vegetables,  are  inoffenfive  and  timorous.  As  nature  fur^ 
nifties  them  with  a  moft  abundant  fupply,  they  have  not  that 
rapacity  after  food,  remarkable  in  fuch  as  are  often  ftinted  in 
their  provifion.  They  are  extremely  active  and  amazingly  fwift, 
to  which  they  chiefly  owe  their  protection;  for,  being  the  prejr 
of  every  voracious  animal,  they  are  inceffantty  purfued.  The 
hare,  the  rabbit,  and  the  fquirrel,  are  placed  by  Pierius,  in  lib 
treatife  of  ruminating  animals,  among  the  number  of  thofe 
that  chew  the  cud  ;  but  how  far  this  may  be  true,  I  will  not 
pretend  to  determine.  Certain  it  is,  that  their  lips  continually 
move  whether  fleeping  or  waking.  Neverthelefs,  they  chew 
their  meat  very  much  before  they  f\v allow  it,  and  for  that  rea- 
fon,  I  mould  fuppofe  that  it  does  not  want  a  fecond  maftica- 
tion.  All  thefe  animals  ufe  their  fore-paws  like  hands  ;  they 
are  remarkably  falacious,  and  are  furnifhed  by  nature  with 
more  ample  powers  than  mod  others  for  the  bufinefs  of  pro- 
pagation. They  are  fo  very  prolific,  that  were  they  not  thiiir 
ned  by  the  conftant  depredations  made  upon  them  by  moft 
other  animals,  they  would  quickly  over-run  the  earth. 

Of  all  thefe,  the  hare  is  the  large  ft,  the  moft  perfecuted, 
and  the  moft  timorous  ;  all  ite  mufcles  are  formed  for  fwift  - 
nefs ,  and  all  its  fenfes  feem  only  given  to  direcl  its  flight. 
It  has  very  large  prominent  eyes,  placed  backwards  in  its  head, 
fo  that  it  can  almcft  fee  behind  it  as  it  runs.  Thefe  are  ne- 
v.er  wholly  clofed  5  but  as  the  animal  is  continually  upon 


ANIMALS   OF  THE 

watch,  it  fleeps  with  them  open.  The  ears  are  fiill  m 
markable  for  their  fize  ;  they  are  rnovemble,  and  capable  of 
being  directed  to  every  quarter  ;  fo  that  the  fmalleil  founds 
are  readily  received,  and  the  animal's  motion,  directed  accord- 
ingly. The  mufcles  of  the  body  are  very  ftrong,  and  without 
fat,  fo  that  it  may  be  fa  id  to  carry  no  fuperiluous  burthen  of 
flelh  about  it ;  the  hinder  feet  are  longer  than  the  fore,  which 
dill  adds  to  the  rapidity  of  its  motions  ;  and  almoft  all  ani- 
mals that  are  remarkable  for  their  fpeed,  except  the  horfe,  are 
formed  in  the  fame  manner. 

An  animal  fo  well  formed  for  a  life  of  efcape  might  be  fup- 
pofed  to  enjoy  a  ftate  of  tolerable  fecurity  ;  but  as  every  ra- 
pacious creature  is  its  enemy,  it  but  very  feldom  lives  out  its 
natural  term.  Dogs  of  all  kinds  purfue  it  by  m{linc\  and  fol- 
low the  hare  more  eagerly  than  any  other  animal.  The  cat 
and  the  weafel  kinds  are  continually  lying  in  ambufh,  and 
pra&ifing  all  tbfcir  little  arts  to  feize  it ;  birds  of  prey  are  ftill 
more'  dangerous  enemies,  as  againfl  them  no  fwiftnefs  can 
avail,  nor  retreat  fecure ;  but  man,  an  enemy  far  more  pow- 
erful than  all,  prefers  its  flefh  to  that  of  other  animals,  and  de- 
flroys  greater  numbers  than  all  the  reft.  Thus  purfued  and 
perfecuted  on  every  fide,  the  race  would  long  fmce  have  been 
totally  extirpated,  did  it  not  find  a  refource  in  its  amazing  fer- 
tility. 

The  hare  multiplies  exceedingly ;  it  is  in  a  ftate  of  engen- 
dering at  a  few  months  old  ;  the  females  go  with  young  but 
thirty  days,  and  generally  bring  forth  three  or  four  at  a  time,  f 
As  foon  as  they  have  produced  their  young,  they  are  again  rea- 
dy for  conception,  and  thus  do  not  lofe  any  time  in  continu- 
ing the  breed.  But  they  are  in  another  refped  fitted  in  an  ex- 
traordinary manner  for  multiplying  their  kind;  for  the  female, 
from  the  conformation  of  her  ^.  omb,  is  often  feen  to  bring 
forth,  and  yet  to  continue  pregnant  at  the  fame  time ;  or,  in 
other  words,  to  have  young  ones  of  different  ages  in  her  womb 
together.  Other  animals  never  receive  the  male  when  preg- 

f  BufTon,  vol.  xiii.  p.  12. 


HARE   KIND. 

nant,  but  bring  forth  their  young  at  once.  But  it  is  frequently 
different  with  the  hare ;  the  female  often,  though  already  im- 
pregnated, admitting  the  male,  and  thus  receiving  a  fecond  im- 
pregnation. The  reafcn  of  this  extraordinary  circumdance  is, 
that  the  womb  in  thefe  animals  is  divided  in  fuch  a  manner, 
that  it  may  be  confidered  as  a  double  organ,  one  fide  of  which 
may  be  filled,  while  the  other  remains  empty.  Thus  thefe  ani- 
mals may  be  feen  to  couple  at  every  period  of  their  pregnancy, 
and  even  when  they  are  bringing  forth  young,  laying  the  foun- 
dation of  another  brood. 

The  young  of  thefe  animals  are  brought  forth  with  their 
eyes  open,  and  the  dam  fuckles  them  for  twenty  days,  after 
whichtheyleave  her,  and  feek  out  for  themfelvesf.  From  this 
we  obferve,  that  the  education  thefe  animals  receive,  is  but 
trifling,  and  the  family  connection  but  of  ihort  duration.  In 
the  rapacious  kinds,  the  dam  leads  her  young  forth  for 
months  together  •,  teaches  them  the  arts  of  rapine;  and  altho' 
{he  wants  milk  to  fupply  them,  yet  keeps  them  under  her  care 
until  they  are  able  to  hunt  for  themfelves.  But  a  long  connec- 
tion of  this  kind  would  be  very  unneceffary,  as  well  as  dange- 
rous to  the  timid  animals  we  are  deferring ;  their  food  is  ea- 
fily  procured  ;  and  their  aflbciations,  inftead  of  protection, 
would  only  expofe  them  to  their  purfuers.  They  feldom,  how- 
ever, feparate  far  from  each  other,  or  from  the  place  where 
they  were  produced,  but  make  each  a  form  at  ibme  idance, 
having  a  predilection  rather  for  the  place  than  each  other's  fo- 
cicty.  They  feed  during  the  night  rath*  r  than  by  day,  choofing 
the  mod  tender  blades  of  grafs,  and  quenching  their  third  with 
the  dew.  They  live  alfo  upon  roots,  leaves,  fruits  and  corn, 
and  prefer  fuch  plants  as  are  furriimed  with  a  milky  juice. 
They  alfo  drip  the  bark  of  trees  during  the  winter,  there  be- 
ing fcarce  any  that  they  will  not  feed  on,  except  the  lime  or 
the  alder.  They  are  particularly  fond  of  birch,  pinks,  and  parf- 
Icy.  When  they  are  kept  tame,  they  re  fed  with  lettuce  and 
other  garden  herbs ;  but  the  flefh  of  fuch  as  are  thus  brought 
up,  is  always  indifferent. 


238  ANIMALS    OP  THE 

They  fleep  or  repofc  in  their  forms  by  day,  end  may  be  faids 
to  live  only  by  night.f  It  is  then  that  they  go  forth  to  feed 
and  couple.  They  do  not  pair,  however,  but  in  the  rutting- 
feafon,  which  begins  in  February  •,  the  male  purfues  and  dif- 
covers  the  female  by  the  fagacity  of  its  nofe.  They  are  then 
feen,  by  moon-light,  playing,  flapping,  and  purfuing  each 
other  ;  but  the  leail  motion,  the  flighteu:  breeze,  the  falling  o£ 
a  leaf  is  fuflicient  to  diilurb  their  revels  j  they  inftantly  fly  off, 
and  each  takes  a  feparate  way. 

As  their  limbs  are  made  for  running,  they  eafily  outftrip  all 
other  animals  in  the  beginning  ;  and  could  they  preferve  their 
ipecd,  it  would  be  impoffible  to  overtake  them ;  but,  as  they  ex- 
haufl  their  ftrength  at  their  fir  ft  efforts,  and  double  back  to  the 
place  they  were  ilarted  from,  they  are  more  eafily  taken  than 
the  fox,  which  is  a  much  flower  animal  than  they.  As  their 
hind  legs  are  longer  than  the  fore,  they  always  choofe  to  r.un 
up  hill,  by  which  the  fpeed  of  their  purfuers  is  diminifhcd, 
while  theirs  remains  the  fame.  Their  motions  are  alfo  without 
any  noife,  as  they  have  the  fole  of  the  foot  furniflied  with  hair  ; 
and  they  feem  the 'only  animals  that  have  hair  on  the  infide  of 
their  mouths. 

They  feldom  live  above  feven  or  eight  years  at  the  utmoft  ;, 
they  come  to  their  full  perfection  in  a  ye-.ir;  and  this  multi- 
plied by  feven,  as  in  other  animals,  gives  the  extent  of  their 
lives.!  It  is  faid,  however,  that  the  females  live  longer  than 
the  males  :  of  this  mr.  Buffon  makes  a  doubt;  but  I  am  ailured 
that  itisfo.  They  pafs  their  lives,  in  our  climate,  in  folitude 
and  filence ;  and  they  feldom  are  heard  to  cry,  except  when 
they  are  feized  or  wounded.  Their  voice  is  not  fo  (harp  as  the 
note  of  fome  other  animals  ;  l>ut  more  nearly  approaching  that 
of  the  fqualling  of  a  child.  They  are  not  fo  wild  as  their  dif- 
pofitions  and  their  habits  feem  to  indicate  ;*hut  are  of  a  com- 
plying nature,  and  eaiily  fufceptible  of  a  kind  of  education. 
They  are  eafily  tamed.  They  even  become  fond  and  careffing; 
but  they  are  incapable  of  attachment  to  any  particular  pcrfon^ 
rjad  never  can  be  depended  upon;  for,  though  taken  ever  fa 
young,  they  regain  their  native  freedom  at  the  firft  opportunity , 

Jiuiion,  vol.  iiii-  p.  12.  J  Ibid. 


HARE   KIND,  r» 

As  they  have  a  remarkable  good  ear,  and  fie  upon  their  hind 
legs,  and  ufe  their  fore-paws  as  hands,  they  have  been  taught 
to  beat  the  drum,  to  dance  to  mufic,  and  go  through  the  ma- 
nual excrcife. 

But  their  natural  inftincls  for  their  prefervation,  are  much 
more  extraordinary  than  thofe  artificial  tricks  that  are  taught 
them.  They  make  themfelves  a  form,  particularly  in  thofe  places 
where  the  colour  of  the  grafs  moft  refembles  that  of  their  fkin; 
it  is  open  to  the  fouth  in  winter,  and  to  the  north  in  fummer. 
The  hare,  when  it  hears  the  hounds  at  a  diftance,  flies  for 
fome  time,  through  a  natural  impulfe,  without  managing  its 
ftrength,  or  confulting  any  other  means  but  fpeed  for  its  fafety. 
Having  attained  fome  hill  or  rifing  ground,  and  left  the  dogs  fo 
far  behind  that  it  no  longer  hears  their  cries,  it  Hops,  rears  on 
its  hinder  legs,  and  at  length  looks  back  to  fee  if  it  has  not  loft 
its  purfuers.  But  thefe,  having  once  fallen  upon  the  fcent,  pur- 
fues  flowly,  and  with  united  ikill,  and  the  poor  animal  foon 
again  hears  the  fatal  tidings  of  their  approach.  Sometimes 
when  fore  hunted,  it  will  dart  a  frefh  hare,  and  fquat  in  the 
fame  form;  fometimes  it  will  creep  under  the  door  of  a 
flieep-cot,  and  hide  among  the  iheep  •,  fometimes  it  will  run 
among  them,  and  no  vigilance  can  drive  it  from  die  flock ; 
fome  will  enter  holes  like  the  rabbit,  which  the  hunters  call 
going  to  vault ;  fome  will  go  up  one  fide  of  the  hedge,  and 
come  down  the  other;  and  it  has  been  known,  that  a  hare,  fo  re- 
ly hunted,  has  got  upon  the  top  of  a  cut  quick-fet  hedge,  and 
run  a  good  way  thereon,  by  which  it  has  effectually  evaded  the 
hounds.  It  is  no  unufual  thing  alfo  for  them  to  betake  them- 
felves to  furze  bufhes,  and  to  leap  from  one  to  another,  by 
which  the  dogs  are  frequently  mifled.  However,  thefirft  dou- 
bling a  hare  makes,  is  generally  a  key  to  all  its  future  attempts 
of  that  kind,  the  latter  being  exactly  like  the  former.  The 
young  hares  tread  heavier,  and  leave  a  ftronger  fcent  than  the 
old,  becaufe  their  limbs  are  weaker ;  and  the  more  this  for- 
lorn creature  tires,  the  heavier  it  treads,  and  the  ftronger  is  the 
fcent  it  leaves.  A  buck,  or  male  hare,  is  known  by  its  choofing 
to  run  upon  hard  highways,  feeding  farther  from  the  wrood- 
fcdes,  and  making  its  doublings  of  a  greater  compafs  than  the 


ANIMALS    OF   THE 

female.  The  male  having  made  a  turn  or  two  about  its  form, 
frequently  leads  the  hounds  five  or  fix  miles  on  a  flretch  ;  but 
the  female  keeps  clofe  by  fome  covert  fide,  turns,  crofies,  and 
winds  among  the  bufties  like  a  rabbit,  and  feldom  runs  dire&ly 
forward.  In  general,  however,  both  male  and  female  reguhte 
their  conduct  according  to  the  weather.  In  a  moift  day  they 
hold  by  the  highways  more  than  at  any  other  time,  becaufe  the 
fcent  is  then  ftrongeft  upon  the  grafs.  If  they  come  to  the  fide 
of  a  grove  or  fpring,  they  forbear  to  enter,  but  fquat  down  by 
the  fide  thereof,  until  the  hounds  have  overfhot  them;  and  then 
turning  along  their  former  path,  make  to  their  old  form, 
from  which  they  vainly  hope  for  protection. 

Hares  are  divided,  by  the  hunters,  into  mountain  and  mea- 
*Ied  hares.  The  former  are  more  fwift,  vigorous,  and  have  their 
flefh  better  tailed;  the  latter  chiefly  frequent  the  marfhes,  when 
hunted  keep  among  low  grounds,  and  their  flefh  is  moift, 
white,  and  flabby.  When  the  male  and  female  keep  one  par- 
ticular fpot,  they  will  not  fuffer  any  ftrange  hare  to  make  its 
form  in  the  fame  quarter,  fo  that  it  is  ufually  faid  that  the  more 
you  hunt,  the  more  hares  you  fhall  have  ;  for,  having  killed 
one  hare,  others  come  and  take  pofleflion  of  its  form.  Many 
of  thefe  animals  are  found  to  live  in  woods  and  thickets,  but 
they  are  naturally  fonder  of  the  open  country,  and  are  con- 
ftrained  only  by  fear  to  take  flicker  in  places  that  afford  them 
neither  a  warm  fun  nor  an  agreeable  pafture.  They  are,  there- 
fore, ufually  feen  Healing  out  of  the  edges  of  the  wood,  to  tafle 
the  grafs  that  grows  fhorter  and  fweeter  in  the  open  fields, 
than  under  the  {hade  of  the  trees  ;  however,  they  feldom  mifs 
of  being  purfued  ;  and  every  excurfion  is  a  new  adventure. 
They  are  fhot  at  by  poachers  ;  traced  by  their  footfteps  in  the 
fnow;  caught  in  fprings;  dogs,  birds,  and  cats,  are  all  combin- 
ed againfl  them  ;  ants,  fnakes,  and  adders,  drive  them  from 
their  forms,  cfpecially  in  fummer;  even  fleas,  from  which  mod 
other  animals  are  free,  perfecute  this  poor  creature ;  and  fo 
various  are  its  enemies,  that  it  is  feldom  permitted  to  reach 
even  that  fhort  term  to  which  it  is  limited  by  nature. 

The  foil  and  cUmale  have  their  influence  upon  this 


HARE  KIND.  24: 

as  well  a$  on  rnoft  others.  In  the  countries  bordering  on  the 
north  pole,  they  become  white  in  winter,  and  are  often  feen  in 
great  troops  of  four  or  five  hundred,  running  along  the  banks 
of  the  river  Irtifh,  or  the  Jenifca,  and  as  white  as  the  fnow  they 
tread  on.  They  are  caught  in  toils  for  the  fake  of  their  fkins, 
which,  on  the  fpot,  are  fold  for  lefs  than  feven  {hillings  a  hun- 
dred. Their  fur  is  well  known  to  form  a  confiderable  article  in 
the  hat  manufacture  ;  and  we  accordingly  import  vaft  quanti- 
ties of  it  from  thofe  countries,  where  the  hare  abounds  infuch 
plenty.  They  are  found  alfo  entirely  black,  but  thefe  in  much 
lefs  quantity  than  the  former"  ;  and  even  fome  have  been  feen 
with  horns,  though  thefe  but  rarelyf. 

The  hares  of  the  hot  countries,  particularly  in  Italy,  Spain, 
and  Barbary,  are  fmaller  than  ours  :  thofe  bred  in  the  Milanefe 
country  are  faid  to  be  the  beft  in  Europe^:.  There  is  fcarce  a. 
country  where  this  animal  is  not  to  be  found,  from  the  torrid 
zone  to  the  neighbourhood  of  the  polar  circle*  The  natives  o€ 
Guinea  knock  them  on  the  head  as  they  come  down  to  the  fides 
of  the  rivers  to  drink.  They  alfo  furround  the  place  where  they 
are  feen  in  numbers,  and  clattering  a  mort  flick,  which  every 
man  carries,  againfl  that  which  the  perfon  next  him  carries, 
they  diminim  their  circle  gradually,  till  *he  h  ares  are  cooped  up 
in  the  midft.  They  then  all  together  throw  their  flicks  in 
among  them,  and  with  fuch  deadly  force,,  tha  'they  feldom  fail 
of  killing  great  numbers  at  a  time}. 

The  flefli  of  this  animal  has  been  efteemed  as  a  delicacy 
among  fome  nations,  and  is  held  in  deteflation  by  others.  The 
Jews,  the  ancient  Britons,  and  the  Mahometans,  all  ccnfidered 
it  as  an  unclean  animal,  and  religioufly  abftained  from  it.  On 
the  contrary,  there  are  fcarce  any  other  people,  however  bar- 
barous, at  prefent,  that  do  not  confider  it  as  the  moft  agreeable 
food.  Fafhion  feem  to  prefide  and  govern  all  the  fenfes;  what 
mankind  at  one  time  confider  as  beautiful,  fragrant  or  favoury, 
may,  at  another  time,  or  among  another  nation,  be  regarded  as 

*  Klein  Diip.  Quadrup.  p.  52.         .        f  Johnfton  tie  Quad.  L,  ii.  C.  2. 

\  Dictionnaire  Raiionee  J-ievrc. 
§  Hift.  Gen.  des  Voyages,  torn  iv.  p.  171. 

VOL.  II.  2  H 


242  A  N I M  ALS  O  F  TH  E 

deformed,  difguftful,  or  ill  tafted.  That  flefli  which  the  an- 
cient Romans  fo  much  admired  as  to  call  it  the  food  of  the  wife, 
was,  among  the  Jews  and  the  Druids,  thought  unfit  to  bs 
•eaten  ;  and  even  the  moderns,  who,  like  the  Romans,  confider 
the  flefh  of  this  animal  as  a  delicacy,  have  very  different  ideas 
as  to  dreiTmg  it.  With  us  it  is  fimply  ferved  up  without  much 
feafoning  ;  but  Apicius  (hows  us  the  manner  of  drefling  a  hare 
in  true  Roman  tafte,  with  parfley,  rice,  vinegar,  cummin  feed> 
and  coriander*". 


-THE     RABBIT. 

THE  hare  and  the  rabbit,  though  fo  very  nearly  refembling 
each  other  in  form  and  difpofition,  are  yet  diftin£l  kinds,  as 
they  refufe  to  mix  with  each  other.  Mr.  BufFon  bred  up  feveral 
of  both  kinds  in  the  fame  place  ;  but,  from  being  at  firll  indif- 
ferent, they  foon  became  enemies  ;  and  their  combats  were  ge- 
nerally continued  until  one  of  them  was  difabled  or  deilroyed. 
However,  though  thefe  experiments  were  not  attended  with 
fuccefs,  I  am  allured  that  nothing  is  more  frequent  than  an 
animal  bred  between  thefe  two,  but  which,  like  the  mules, 
is  marked  with  fterility.  Nay,  it  has  been  actually  known  that 
the  rabbit  couples  with  animals  of  a  much  more  diftant  nature  ; 
and  there  is  at  prefent,  in  the  mufeum  at  Brufiels,  a  creature 
covered  with  feathers  and  hair,  and  faid  to  be  bred  between  a 
rabbit  and  a  hen. 

The  fecundity  of  the  rabbit  Is  ft  ill  greater  than  that  of  the 
hare;  and  if  we  mould  calculate  the  produce  from  a  fingle 
pair,  in  one  year,  the  number  would  be  amazing.  They  breed 
feven  times  in  a  year,  and  bring  eight  young  ones  at  each  time. 
On  a  fuppofition,  therefore,  that  this  happens  regularly,  at  the 
end  of  four  years,  a  couple  of  rabbits  mall  fee  a  progeny  of  al- 
moil  a  million  and  a  half.  From  hence  we  might  juflly  ap- 
prehend being  over- flocked  by  their  incrcafe;  but,  happily  for 
mankind,  their  enemies  are  numerous,  and  their  nature  ino£- 

*  Vid.  Apicii, 


HARE    KIND.  243 

fen  five  ;  fo  that  their  deftru&ion  bears  a  near  proportion  to 
their  fertility. 

But  although  their  number  be  di minifned  by  every  beaft  and 
bird  of  prey,  and  ftill  more  by  man  himfelf,  yet  there  is  no 
danger  of  their  extirpation.  The  hare  is  a  poordefencelefs  ani- 
mal, that  has  nothing  but  its  fwiftnefs  to  depend  on  for  fafety; 
its  numbers  are,  therefore,  every  day  decreasing  ;  and  in  coun- 
tries that  are  well  peopled,  the  ipecies  are  fo  much  kept  under, 
that  laws  are  made  for  their  prefcrvation.  Still,  however,  it  is 
moil  likely  that  they  will  be  at  lail  totally  deflroyed  ;  and,  like 
the  wolf  or  the  elk  in  fome  countries,  be  only  kept  in  remem- 
brance. But  it  is  otherwife  with  the  rabbit,  its-fecundity  being 
greater,  and  its  means  of  fafety  more  certain.  The  hare  feems 
to  have  more  various  arts  and  infincls,  to  efcape  its  purfuers, 
by  doubling,  fquatting,  and  winding ;  the  rabbit  has  but  one 
art  of  defence  alone,  but  in  that  one  finds  fafety  ;  by  making 
itfelf  a  hole,  where  it  continues  a  great  part  of  the  day,  and 
breeds  up  its  young  -,  there  it  continues  fecure  from  the  fox, 
the  hound,  the  kite,  and  every  other  enemy. 

Neverihelefs,  though  this  retreat  be  fafe  and  covenient,  the 
rabbit  does  not  feem  to  be  naturally  fond  of  keeping  there.  It 
loves  the  funny  field  and  the  open  pafture  ;  it  feems  to  be  a 
chilly  animal,  and  diilikes  the  ccldnefs  of  its  under-ground 
habitation.  It  is,  therefore,  continually  out,  when  it  does  not 
fear  difturbance  •,  and  the. female  often  brings  forth  her  young 
at  a  diftance  from  the  warren,  in  a  hole,  not  above  a  foot 
deep  at  the  moft.  There  me  fuckles  them  for  about  a  month  \ 
covering  them  with  mofs  andgrafs,  whenever  fhe  goes  to  paf- 
ture, and  fcratching  them  up  at  her  return.  It  has  been  faid, 
indeed,  that  this  mallow  hole  without  the  warren,  is  made, 
fiis  male  mould  attack  and  deftroy  her  young  ;  but  I  have 
feen  the  male  himfelf  attend  the  young  there,  lead  them  out 
to  feed,  and  conduct  them  back  upon  the  return  of  the  dam. 
This  external  retreat  feems  a  kind  of  country  houfe  at  a  dif- 
tance from  the  general  habitation  j  it  is  ufually  made  near 
fome  fpot  of  excellent  pafture,  or  in  the  in  id  ft  of  a  field  of 


244  ANIMALS   OF   THE 

fprouting  corn.  To  this  both  male  and  female  often  retire 
from  the  warren  ;  lead  their  young  by  night  to  the  food  which 
lies  fo  convenient,  and,  if  not  difturbed,  continue  there  till 
they  are  perfectly  grown  up.  There  they  find  a  greater  variety 
of  pafture,  than  near  the  warren,  which  is  generally  eaten 
bare  ;  and  enjoy  a  vrarmer  fun,  by  covering  themfelves  up  in 
a  {hallow  hole.  Whenever  they  are  difturbed,  they  then  for- 
fake  their  retreat  of  pleafure,  for  one  of  fafety  ;  they  fly  to  the 
warren  with  their  utmoft  fpeed  •,  and,  if  the  way  be  fhort, 
there  is  fcarce  any  dog,  how  fwift  foever,  that  can  overtake 
them. 

But  it  does  not  always  happen  that  thefe  animals  are  pof- 
fefled  of  one  of  thefe  external  apartments  ;  they  moil  ufually 
bring  forth  their  young  in  the  warren,  but  always  in  a  hole 
feparate  from  the  male.  On  thefe  occafions,  the  female  digs 
herfelf  a  hole*,  different  from  the  ordinary  one,  by  being 
more  intricate ;  at  the  bottom  of  which  me  makes  a  more 
ample  apartment.  This  done,  {he  pulls  off  from  her  beliy  a 
good  quantity  of  her  hair,  with  which  {lie  makes  a  kind  of  bed 
for  her  young.  During  the  two  firfl  days  me  never  leaves 
them ;  and  does  not  ftir  out  but  to  procure  nourifhment, 
which  fhe  takes  with  the  utmoft  difpatch  j  in  this  manner  fuck- 
ling  her  young  for  near  fix  weeks,  until  they  are  ftrong,  and 
able  to  go  abroad  themfelves.  During  all  this  time,  the  male 
feldom  vifits  their  feparate  apartment ;  but  when  they  are 
grown  up,  fo  as  to  come  to  the  mouth  of  the  hole,  he  then 
feems  to  acknowledge  them  as  his  offspring,  takes  them  be- 
tween his  paws,  fmooths  their  {kin  and  licks  their  eyes  ;  all  of 
them,  one  after  the  other,  have  an  equal  mare  in  his  carefles. 

In  this  manner,  the  rabbit,  when  wild,  confults  its  pleafure 
and  its  fafety  ;  but  thofe  that  are  bred  up  tame,  do  not  take  the 
trouble  of  digging  a  hole,  confcious  of  being  already  protected, 
Jt  has  alfo  been  obfervedf,  that  when  people,  to  make  a  war* 
ren,  ftock  it  with  tame  rabbits,  thefe  animals,  having  been 
unaccuftomed  to  the  art  of  fcraping  a  hole,  continue  expofed 

*  Buffon.    f  Ibid, 


HARE   KIND.  24$ 

to  the  weather,  and  every  other  accident  without  ever  burro v/- 
isg.  Their  immediate  offspring  aifo  are  equally  regardlefs  of 
their  fafety ;  and  it  is  not  till  after  two  or  thrse  generations, 
that  thefc  animals  begin  to  find  the  necelTity  and  convenience 
of  an  afylum,  and  praclife  an  art  which  they  could  only  learn 
from  nature. 

Rabbits  of  the  domeftic  breed,  like  all  other  animals  that 
are  under  the  protection  of  man,  are  of  various  colours;  white, 
brown,  black,  and  moufe  colour.  The  black  are  the  mod  fcarce ; 
the  brown,  white,  and  moufe  colour,  are  in  greater  plenty.  Moft 
of  the  wild  rabbits  are  of  a  broxvn,  and  it  is  the  colour  which 
prevails  among  the  fpecies  ;  for,  in  every  neft  of  rabbits,  whe- 
ther the  parents  be  black  or  white,  there  are  fome  brown  ones 
found  of  the  number.  But,  in  England,  there  are  many  war- 
rens flocked  with  the  maufe-colour  kinds,  which  fome  fay 
game  originally  from  an  iflp.nd  in  the  river  Humber,  and  which 
{till  continue  their  original  colour,  after  a  great  number  of 
fucceflive  generations.  A  gentleman,*'  who  bred  up  tame  rah- 
bics  for  his  amufement,  gives  the  following  account  of  their 
production.  I  began,  fays  he,  by  having  but  one  male  and  fe- 
male only ;  the  male  was  entirely  white,  and  the  female 
brown  ;  but,  in  their  pofterity,  the  number  of  the  brown  by  far 
exceeded  thofe  of  any  other  colour :  there  were  fome  white, 
fome  party-coloured,  and  fome  black.  It  is  furprizing  how 
much  the  defcendants  were  obedient  and  fubmiflive  to  their 
common  parent;  he  was  eafily  diftinguifhed  from  the  reft  by 
his  fuperior  whitenefs;  and,  however  numerous  the  other  males 
were,  this  kept  them  all  in  fubjeclion.  Whenever  they  quar- 
relled among  each  other,  either  for  their  females  or  proviiions, 
as  foon  as  he  heard  the  noife,  he  ran  up  to  them  with  all  dif- 
patch,  and,  upon  his  appearance,  all  was.inltantly  reduced  to 
peace  and  order.  If  he  caught  any  of  them  in  the  fact,  he  in- 
ftantly  puniihed  them,  as  an  example  to  the  reft.  Another  in- 
itance  of  his  fuperiority  was,  that  having  accuftomed  them  to 
come  to  me  with  the  call  of  a  whiftle,  the  inilant  this  fignal 

[r.  Moutier,  as  quoted  by  mr.  BuJou. 


ANIMALS  OF  THE 

was  given,  I  faw  him  marfiialling  them  up,  leading  them  the 
loremoft,  and  then  fuffering.  them  all  to  file  off before  him. 

The  rabbit,*  though  lefs  than  the  hare,  generally  lives 
longer.  As  thefe  animals  pafs  the  greater  part  of  their  lives  in 
their  burrow,  where  they  continue  at  eafe  and  unmolefted, 
they  have  nothing  to  prevent  the  regularity  of  their  health,  or 
the  due  courfe  of  their  nourifhment.  1  hey  are,  therefore, 
generally  found  fatter  than  the  hare  ;  but  their  flefh  is,  not- 
\vithftanding,  much  lefs  delicate.  That  of  the  old  ones,  in  par- 
ticular, is  hard,  tough  and  dry  ;  but  it  is  faid,  that  in  warmer 
countries,  they  are  better  tailed.  This  may  very  well  be,  as  the 
rabbit,  though  fo  very  plenty  in  Great-Britain  and  Ireland, 
is,  neverthelefs,  a  native  of  the  warmer  climates  ;  and  has  been 
originally  imported  into  thefe  kingdoms,  from  Spain.  In  that 
country,  and  in  fome  of  the  iflands  in  the  Mediterranean,  we 
are  told,  that  they  once  multiplied  in  fuch  numbers,  as  to  prove 
the  greatefl  nuifance  to  the  natives.  They  at  fir  ft  demanded 
military  aid  to  deftroy  them  ;  but  fcon  after  they  called  in  the 
afliftance  of  ferrets,  which  originally  came  from  Africa,  and 
thefe,  with  much  more  eafe  and  expedition,  contrived  to  leiTen 
the  calamity.  In  facl:,  rabbits  are  found  to  love  a  warm  cli- 
mate, and  to  be  incapable  of  bearing  the  cold  of  the  north  ; 
fo  that  in  Sweden  they  are  obliged  to  be  littered  in  the  houfes, 
It  is  otherwife  in  all  the  tropical  climates,  where  they  are  ex- 
tremely common,  and  where  they  feldom  burrow  as  with  us. 
The  Englifh  counties  that  are  moft  noted  for  thefe  animals, 
are  Lincolnmire,  Norfolk,  and  Cambridgefhire.  They  delight 
in  grounds  of  a  fandy  foil,  which  are  warmer  than  thofe  of 
clay,  and  which  alfo  furnifh  a  fofter  and  finer  paflure. 

The  tame  rabbits  are  larger  than  the  wild  ones,  from  their 
taking  more  nourifhment  and  uCng  lefs  exercife  ;  but  their 
flefh  is  not  fo  good,  being  more  infipid  and  fofter.  In  order  to 
improve  it,  they  are  chiefly  fed  upon  bran,  and  are  dinted  in 
their  water;  for,  if  indulged  in  too  great  a  plenty  of  moifl  food, 
they  are  apt,  as  the  feeders  exprefs  it,  to  grow  rotten.  The 
hair  or  fur  is  a  very  ufeful  commodity,  and  is  employed  in, 
*  Mr.  Moutier,  as  quoted  by  mr.  EufFon, 


HARE  KIND.  247 

England  for  feveral  purpofes,  as  well  when  the  {kin  is  drefied 
with  it  on,  as  when  it  is  pulled  off.  The  fkins,  efpecially  the 
white,  are  ufed  for  lining  clothes,  and  are  confidered  as  a  cheap 
imitation  of  ermine.  The  Ikin  of  the  male  is  ufually  preferred, 
as  being  the  mod  lafting,  but  it  is  coarfer ;  that  on  the 
belly  in  either  fex,  is  the  bed  and  fined.  But  the  chief -life 
made  of  rabbit's  fur,  is  in  the  manufacture  of  hars  ;  it  is  ahvavs 
mixed,  in  certain  proportions,  with  the  fur  of  the  beaver  ;  arid 
it  is  faid  to  give  the  latter  more  ilrength  and  confidence. 

The  Syrian  rabbit,  like.all  other  animals  bred  in  that  coun- 
try, is  remarkable  for  the  length  of  its  hair  •,  it  falls  along  the 
fides  in  wavy  wreaths,  and  is,  in  feme  places,  curled  at  the 
end,  like  wool ;  it  is  fiied  once  a  year  in  large  mafles ;  and  it 
often  happens  that  the  rabbit,  dragging  a  part  of  its  robe  on 
the  ground,  appears  as  if  it  had  got  another  leg,  or  a  longer 
tail.  There  are  no  rabbits  naturally  in  America  ;  however, 
thofe  that  have  been  carried  from  Europe,  are  found  to  multi- 
ply in  the  Weft-India  iflands  in  great  abundance.  In  other 
parts  of  that  continent,  they  have  animals,  that,  in  fome  mea- 
fure,  refemble  the  rabbits  of  Europe  ;  and  which  mod  Europe- 
an travellers  have  often  called  hares  or  rabbits,  as  they  hap- 
pened  to  be  large  or  fmall.  Their  giving  them  even  the  name 
will  be  a  fufHcient  excufe  for  my  placing  them  among  animals 
of  the  hare  kind  ;  although  they  may  differ  in  many  of  the 
mod  effential  particulars.  But  before  we  go  to  the  new  conti- 
nent, we  will  firft  examine  fuch  as  bear  even  a  didant  refem- 
felance  to  the  hare  kind  at  home. 

THE   SQJJIRREL. 

THERE  are  few  readers  that  are  not  as  well  acquainted 
with  the  figure  of  a  fquirrel  as  that  of  the  rabbit ;  but  fuppof- 
ing  it  unknown  to  any,  we  might  give  them  fome  idea  of  its 
form,  by  comparing  it  to  a  rabbit,  with  fhorter  ears,  and  a  lon- 
ger tail.  The  tail,  indeed,  is  alone  fufncient  to  didinguifli  it 
from  allvothers,  as  it  is  extremely  long,  beautiful  and  buihy, 
fpreading  like  a  fan,  and  which,  when  thrown  up  behind, 


ANIMALS  OF  THE 

covers  the  whole  body.  This  fcrves  the  little  animal  for  3 
double  purpofc  ;  when  erefted,  it  ferves,  like  an  umbrella,  as 
a  fecure  prote&ion  from  the  injuries  of  the  heat  and  cold  •, 
./bra  extended,  it  is  very  inflrumental  in  promoting  thofe 
vail  leaps  that  the  fquirrel  takes  from  tree  to  tree  :  nay,  fome 
afTert  that  it  anfwers  Mill  a  third  purpofc,  aju!  when  the  fquir- 
rel takes  water,  w^kJ^r^aieUme^iJQxsJUfe:^^  -ef-bark, 
tl^L^xiLfewi^^ 

There  are  few  wild  animals  in  which  there  are  fo  many  va- 
rieties as  in  the  fquirrel.  The  common  fquirrel  is  of  the  fize  of 
a  fmall  rabbit,  and  is  rather  of  a  more  reddifh  brown.  The 
belly  and  bread  are  white ;  and  the  ears  beautifully  orna- 
mented with  long  tufts  of  hair,  of  a  deeper  colour  than  that  on 
the  body.  The  eyes  are  large,  black  and  lively ;  the  legs  are  (hort 
and  mufcular,  like  thofe  of  the  rabbit ;  but  the  toes  longer  and 
the  claws  (harper,  fo  as  to  fit  it  for  climbing.  When  it  eats,  or 
drefles  itfelf,  it  fits  ere£l,  like  the  hare  or  rabbit,  making  ufe 
of  its  fore  legs  as  hands  ;  and  chiefly  refides  in  trees.  The  grey 
Virginian  fquirrel^  which  mr.  Buffon  calls  the  petit  gris,  is  lar- 
ger than  a  rabbit  and  of  a  greyifh  colour.  Its  body  and  limbs 
are  thicker  than  thofe  of  the  common  fquirrel ;  and  its  ears  are 
fhorter,  and  without  tufts  at  the  point.  The  upper  part  of  the 
body,  and  external  part  of  the  legs,  are  of  a  fine  whitifh  grey, 
with  a  beautiful  red  flreak  on  each  fide  lengthways.  The  tail  is 
covered  with  very  long  grey  hair,  variegated  with  black  and 
white  towards  the  extremity.  This  variety  feems  to  be  com- 
mon to  both  continents;  and  in  Sweden  is  feen  to  change  colour 
in  winter.  The  Barbary  Jquirrcl,  of  which  mr.  Buftbn  makes 
three  varieties,  is  of  a  mixed  colour,  between  red  and  black. 
Along  the  fides  there  are  white  and  brown  lines,  which  render 
this  animal  very  beautiful;  but  what  ftill  adds  to  its  elegance  is, 
that  the  belly  is  of  a  (ky  blue,  furrounded  with  white.  Some  of 
thefe  hold  up  the  tail  erect ;  and  others  throw  it  forward  over 
their  body.  The  Siberian  lohite  fquirrel  is  of  the  fize  of  a  com- 
mon fquirrel.  The  Carolina  black  fquirrel  is  much  bigger  than 
the  former,  and  fometimes  tipt  with  white  at  all  the  extremi- 
*  Klein.  Linux  us. 


^s 


HARE   KIND.  249 

•fquirrel,  which  mr.  Bufron  calls  the  coqual- 
a  beautiful  animal  of  this  kind,  and  very  remarkable  for 
th-j  variety  of  ics  colours,  Its  belly  is  of  a  bright  yellow ;  its 
head  and  body  variegate.!  with  white,  black,  brown  and  orange 
colour.  It  wants  the  tufts  at  the  extremity  of  its  ears ;  and  dees 
net  climb  trees,  as  mod  of  the  kind  are  feen  to  do.  To  this  laft 
rrray  be  added,  the  little  ground  fquirrel  of  Carolina,  of  areddifh 
colour,  and  blackifh  ilripc ;  on  each  fide  ;  and  like  the  former, 
not  delighting  in  trees.  Laftly,  thejtyirre/efNeio  Spain,  which 
is  of  a  deep  iron-grey  colour,  with  feve  n  longitudinal  whitim 
ftrcaks  along  the  tides  of  the  male,  and  five  along  thofe  of  the 
female.  As  for  the  flying  fquirrels,  they  arc  a  diftinct  kind, 
and  (hall  be  treated  of  by  themfelves. 

Thefe,  which  I  fuppofe  to  be  but  a  few  of  the  numerous 
varieties  of  the  fquirrel,  fufficiently  ferve  to  (how  how  exten- 
fivwly  this  animal  is  diffufed  over  all  parts  of  the  world.  It  is 
not  to  be  fuppofed,  however,  that  every  variety  is  capable  of 
fuftaining  every  climate  •,  for,  few  animals  are  fo  tender,  or  fo 
little  able  to  endure  a  change  of  abode,  as  this.  Thofe  bred  in 
the  tropical  climates,  will  only  live  near  a  warm  fun  ;  while, 
on  the  contrary,  the  fquirrel  of  Siberia  will  fcarce  endure  the 
temperature  of  ours.  Thefe  varieties  do  not  only  differ  in  their 
conftitutions  and  colour,  but  in  their  difpofitions,  alfo  ;  for. 
while  fome  live  on  the  tops  of  trees,  others  feed,  like  rabbits, 
on  vegetables  bdow.  Whether  any  of  thefe,  fo  variously  co- 
loured, and  ib  differently  clifpofed,  would  breed  among  each 
other,  we  cannot  tell ;  and  fince,  therefore,  we  are  left  in  un- 
certainty upon  this  point,  we  are  at  liberty  either  to  confider 
each  as  a  diil  ies  by  itfdf,  or  only  a  variety,  that  accident 

might  have  originally  Traduced,  and  that   the  climate  or  foil 
might  li.  my  own  part,  as  the  original  cha- 

racter c  mgly  marked  upon  them  all,  I 

canr,.  latter  point  of  view  ;  rather 

r.s  t".  nt,   than  originally 

formed  with 
VOL.  II. 


250  ANIMALS    OF  THE 

The  fquirrel  is  a  beautiful  little  animal,*  which  is  but  half 
favage  :  and  which,  from  the  gentlenefs  and  innocence  of  its 
manners,  deferves  our  protection.  It  is  neither  carnivorous 
nor  hurtful ;  its  ufuul  food  is  fruits,  nuts  and  acorns 3  it  is 
cleanly,  nimble,,  active  and  induftriousj  its  eyes  are  fparkling, 
and  its  phyiiognorny  marked  with  meaning.  It  generally,  like 
the  hare  and  rabbit  fits  up  on  its  hinder  legs,  and  ufes  the  fore- 
paws  as  hands  3  thefe  have  five  claws  or  toes,  as  they  are  called, 
and  one  of  them  is  feparated  from  the  reft  like  a  thumb.  This 
animal  feems  to  approach  the  nature  of  birds,  from  its  light- 
nefs,  and  furprizing  agility  on  the  tops  of  trees.  It  feldom  de- 
icends  to  the  ground,  except  in  cafe  of  ftorms,  but  jumps  from 
one  branch  to  another  3  feeds,  in  Cpring,  on  the  buds  and 
young  moots  3  in  Cummer  on  the  ripening  fruits  3  and  particu- 
larly the  young  cones  of  the  pine  tree.  In  autumn  it  has  an 
cxteniive  variety  to  feait  upon  3  the  acorn,  the  philberd,  the 
chefnut,  and  the  wilding.  This  fcafon  of  plenty,  however,  is 
not  fpent  in  idle  enjoyment  3  the  provident  little  animal  gathers 
at  that  time  its  provifions  for  the  winter  3  and  cautiouily  fore- 
Cees  the  CeaCon  when  the  fcrdi  (hall  be  ftripped  of  its  leaves 
and  fruitage. 

Its  neft  is  generally  formed  among  the  large  branches  of  a 
great  tree,  where  they  begin  to  fork  off  into  fmall  ones.  After 
chooiing  the  place  where  the  timber  begins  to  decay,  and  a 
hollow  may  the  more  eafily  be  formed,  the  fquirrel  begins  by 
making  a  kind  of  level  between  the  forks ;  and  then  bringing 
mofs,  twigs,  and  dry  leaves,  it  binds  them  together  with  great 
art,  fo  as  to  rcfift  the  mod  violent  ftorm.  This  is  covered  up  on 
all  fides  3  and  has  but  a  fingle  opening  at  top,  which  is  juft 
large  enough  to  admit  the  little  animal ;  and  this  opening  is  it- 
Celf  defended  from  the  weather  by  a  kind  of  canopy,  made  in 
the  failiion  of  a  cone,  fo  that  it  throws  off  the  rain,  though 
ever  fo  heavy.  The  neit  thus  formed,  with  a  very  little  opening 
above, is,neverthelefs,  very  commodious  and  roomy  below  \  foft, 
well  knit  together,  and  every  way  convenient  and  warm.  In  this 


HARE   KIND.  25* 

retreat,  the  little  animal  brings  forth  its  young,  fhelters  itfelf 
from  the  fcorching  heat  of  die  fun,  \vhich  it  feerns  to  fear, 
and  from  the  dorms  and  inclemency  of  winter,  which  it  is 
ilill  lefs  capable  of  fupportmg.  Its  provision  of  nuts  and 
acorns  is  feldom  in  its  neft,  but  in  the  hollows  of  the  tree, 
laid  up  carefully  together,  and  never  touched  but  in  cafes  of 
-iiity.  Thus,  one  imgle  tree  ferves  for  a  retreat  and  a  ftore- 
houfe  ;  and  without  leaving  it  during  the  winter,  the  fquir- 
r jl  policies  all  thofe  enjoyments  that  its  nature  is  capable  of 
receiving.  But  it  fometimes  happens  that  its  little  manfion  is 
attacked  by  a  deadly  and  powerful  foe.  The  martin  goes  often 
in  quell  of  a  retreat  for  its  young,  which  it  is  incapable  of 
making  for  itfelf ;  for  this  reafon,  it  fixes  upon  the  neft  of 
a  fquirrel,  and,  with  double  injuftice,  deftroys  the  tenant,  and 
then  takes  pofleffion  of  the  manfion.. 

However,  this  is  a  calamity  that  but  feldom  happens  :  and, 
of  all  other  animals,  the  fquirrel  leads  the  moft  frolicfome, 
playful  life  ;  being  furrounded  wiih  abundance,  and  having 
few  enemies  to  fear.  They  are  in  heat  early  in  the  fpring  j 
when,  as  a  modern  naturahft  faysf ,  it  is  very  diverting  to  fee 
the  female  feigning  an  efcape  from  the  purfuit  of  two  or 
three  males,  and  to  obferve  the  various  proofs  which  they 
give  of  their  agility,  which  is  then  exerted  in  full  force.  Na- 
ture feems  to  have  been  particular  in  her  formation  of  thefe 
animals  for  propagation  :  however,  they  feidom  bring  forth 
above  four  or  five  young  at  a  time  ;  and  that  but  once  a  year, 
The  time  of  their  gollation  feems  to  be  about  fix  weeks  ;  they 
are  pregnant  in  the  beginning  of  April,  and  bring  forth  about 
the  middle  of  May. 

The  fquirrel  is  never  found  in  the  open  fields,  nor  yet  in 
copfes  or  underwoods  ;  it  always  keeps  in  the  midft  of  the 
talleft  trees,  and,  as  much  as  poflible,  fhuns  the  habitations  of 
man.  It  is  extremely  watchful ;  if  the  tree  in  which  it  refides 
be  but  touched  at  the  bottom,  the  fquirrel  inftantly  takes  the 
alarm,  quits  its  neft,  at  once  flies  off  to  another  tree,  and  thus, 

Rrhifli  Zoology, 


252  ANIMALS    OF   THE 

travels,  with  great  eafe,  along  the  tops  of  the  fcrefl,  until  it 
finds  itfelf  perfectly  out  of  danger.  In  this  manner  it  con- 
tinues for  fome  hours  at  a  diftanee  from  home,  until  the  alarm 
be  paft  away  ;  and  then  it  returns,  by  paths,  that  to  all  qua- 
drupeds but  itfelf,  are  utterly  impaflable.  Its  ufual  way  of  mov- 
ing is  by  bounds ;  thefe  it  takes  from  one  tree  to  another,  at 
forty  feet  diilance  ;  and  if  at  any  time  it  is  obliged  to  defcend, 
it  runs  up  the  fide  of  the  next  tres  with  amazing  facility.  It 
has  an  extremely  fharp  piercing  note,  which  moft  ufually  ex- 
prefies  pain  ;  it  has  another,  more  like  the  purring  of  a  cat, 
which  it  employs  when  pleafed  ;  at  leail  it  appeared  fo  m 
that  from  whence  I  have  taken  a  part  ©f  this  ascription. 

In  Lapland,  and  the  extenfive  forefls  to  the  north,  the 
fquirrels  are  obferved  to  change  their  habitation,  and  to  re- 
move in  vail  numbers  from  one  country  to  another.  In  thefe 
migrations,  they  are  generally  feen  by  thoufands,  travelling 
directly  forward  ;  while  neither  rocks,  foreils,  nor  even  the 
broadeft  waters  can  ilop  their  progrefs.  What  I  am  going  to 
relate,  appears  fo  extraordinary,  that  were  it  not  atteiled  by 
.numbers  of  the  moil  credible  hiftcrians,  among  whom  are 
Klein  and  Linnaeus,  it  might  be  rejected,  with  that  fcorn  with 
which  we  treat  impofture  or  credulity  :  however.,  nothing  can 
be  more  true,  than  that  v.hen  thefe  animals,  in  their  progrefs, 
meet  with  broad  rivers,  or  extenfive  lakes,  which  abound  in  Lap- 
land, they  take  a  very  extraordinary  method  of  croifing  them. 
Upon  approaching  the  banks,  and  perceiving  the  breadth  of 
the  w.uer,  they  return  as  if  by  common  content,  into  the 
neighbouring  foreft,  each  in  quefl  of  a  piece  of  bark,  which 
anfwers  all  the  purpofes  of  boats  for  wafting  them  over.  When 
the  whole  company  are  fitted  in  this- manner,  they  boldly  com- 
mit their  little  fleet  to  the  waves;  every  fquirrd  fitting  on  its 
own  piece  of  bark,  and  fanning  the  air  with  its  tail,  to  drive 
the  veffel  to  its  defired  port.  In  this  orderly  manner,  they  fet 
forward,  and  often  crofs  lakes  feveral  miles  broad.  But  it  too 
often  happens  that  the  poor  mariners  are  not  aware  of  the  dan- 
gers of  their  navigation  j  for,  although  at  the  edge  of  the  wa- 
ter, it  is  generally  Calm>  in  the  midft  it  is  always  more  turbu- 


II  ARE   KIND.  253 

lent.  There,  the  flighted  additional  guft  of  wind  overfets  the 
little  failor  and  his  veiTel  together.  The  whole  navy,  that  but 
a  few  minutes  before  rode  proudly  and  fecurely  along,  is  now 
overturned,  and  a  fhipwreck  of  two  or  three  thoufand  fail 
enfues.  This,  which  is  fo  unfortunate  for  the  little  animal,  is 
generally  the  moil  lucky  accident  in  the  world  for  the  Lap- 
lander on  the  fhore  ;  who  gathers  up  the  dead  bodies  as  they 
are  thrown  in  by  the  waves,  eats  the  flefh,  and  fells  the  fkins 
for  about  a  (hilling  the  dozen.f 

The  fquirrei  is  eafily  tamed,  and  it  is  then  a  very  familiar 
animal.  It  loves  to  lie  warm,  and  will  often  creep  into  a  man's 
pocket  or  his  bofom.  It  is  ufuillv  I-iept  in  a  box,  and  fed  with 
hazel-nuts.  Some  find  amufements  in  obferving  with  what 
eafe  it  bir^s  the  nut  open  and  eats  the  kernel.  In  fhort,  it  is  a 
pleafing,  pretty  little  domeilic ;  and  its  tricks  and  habitudes 
rruiy  ferve  to  entertain  a  mind  unequal  to  flronger  operations. 


THE     FLYING     S  QJJ  I  R  R  E  L. 

Mr.  Ray  was  juftly  of  opinion,  that  the  flying  fquirrei 
m!;jht  more  properly  be  faid  to  be  of  the  rat  kind,  becaufe  its 
fur  is  ihorter  than  in  other  fquirrels,  and  its  colours  alfo  more 
nearly  approach  the  former.  However,  as  mankind  have  been 
content  to  clafs  it  among  the  fquirrels,  it  is  fcarcely  worth 
making  a  new  diftinction  in  its  favour.  This  little  animal, 
which  is  frequently  brought  over  to  England,  is  lefj  than  a 
common  fquirrei,  and  bigger  than  a  field  moufe.  Its  fkin  is  ve- 
ry loft,  and  elegantly  adorned  with  a  dark  fur  in  fome  places, 
and  light  grey  in  others.  It  has  large  prominent  black  and  very 
fparkling  eyes,  fmall  ears,  and  very  (harp  teeth,  with  which  it 
gnaws  any  thing  quickly.  When  it  does  not  leap,  its  tail,  which 
is  pretty  enough,  lies  clofe  to  its  back;  but  when  it  takes  its 
fpring,  the  tail  is  moved  backwards  and  forwards  from  fide  to 
fide.  It  is  faid  to  partake  fomewhat  of  the  nature  of  the  fquirrei, 
of  the  rat,  and  of  the  dormoufe ;  but  that  in  which  it  is  diftin- 

f  Oeuvres  de  Regnard. 


554  ANIMALS   OF  THE 

guifhed  from  all  other  animals,  is  its  peculiar  conformation  for 
taking  thofe  leaps  that  almoit  lock  like  flying.  It  is,  indeed, 
amazing  to  fee  it  at  one  bound,  dart  above  a  hundred  yards,, 
from  one  tree  to  another.  They  are  amftt d  in  this  fpring  by  a 
very  peculiar  formation  of  the  ikin  that  extends  from  the  fore- 
feet to  the  hinder;  fo  that  when  the  animal  ftrttches  its  fore- 
legs forward  and  its  hind-legs  backward,  this  Ikin  is  fpix.ul 
out  between  them,  fomewhat  like  that  between  the  legs  of  a 
bat.  The  furface  of  the  body  being  thus  inci,;.  ie<",  the  little 
animal  keeps  buoyant  in  the  air  until  the  force  of  us  fiiit  im- 
pulfion  is  expired,  and  then-  it  defcends.  This  {kin,  when  the 
creature  is  at  reft,  or  walking,  continu.es  wrinkled  up  on  its 
fides  ;  but  when  its  limbs  are  extended,  it  forms  a  kind  of  web 
between  them  of  above  an  inch  broad  en  either  fide,  and  gives, 
the  whole  body  the  appearance  of  a  fkin  floating  in  the  air. 
In  this  manner,  this  flying  fquirrel-changes  place,  not  like  a 
bird,  by  repeated  ftrokes  of  its  wings,  but  rather  like  a  paper 
kite  fupported  by  the  expanfion  of  the  furface  of  its  body  ; 
but  with  this  difference,  however,  that,  being  naturally  hea- 
vier than  the  air,  inftead  of  mounting,  it  defcends  ;  and  that 
jump,  which  upon  the  ground  would  not  be  above  forty  yards, 
when,  from  an  higher  tree  to  a  lo\\er,  may  be  above  a  hun- 
dred. 

This  little  animal  is  more  common  in  America  than  in  Europe,, 
but  not  very  common  to  be  feen  in  either.  It  is  ufually  found, 
like  the  fquirrel,  on  the  tops  of  trees  ;  but  though  better  fitted 
for  leaping,  it  is  of  a  more  torpid  difpofition,  and  is  feldom 
feen  to  exert  its  powers  ;  fo  that  it  is  often  feized  by  the  pole- 
cat and  the  martin.  It  is  eafily  tamed,  but  apt  to  break  away 
whenever  it  finds  an  opportunity.  It  dots  not  fcem  fond  of 
nuts  or  almonds,  like  other  fquirrels,  but  is  chiefly  pleafed  with 
the  fprouts  of  the  birch  and  the  cones  of  the  pine.  It  is  fed  in 
its  tame  Hate  with  bread  and  fruits  ;  it  generally  fleeps  by  day,. 
and  is  always  moil  active  by  night.  Some  naturalifts  gravely 
caution  us  not  to  let  it  get  in  among  our  corn-fields,  where 


HARE  KIND. 

they  tell  us  it  will  do  a  great  deal  of  damage,  by  cropping  the 
corn  as  foon  as  it  begins  to  ear  !* 


THE    M  A  R  M  O  U  T. 

FROM  the  defcription  of  the  fquirrel  and  its  varieties,  we 
proceed  to  a  different  tribe  of  animals,  no  way  refembii.ig  the 
fquirrel,  but  {till  fomething  like  the  rabbit  and  the  hare.  We- 
are  to  keep  thefe  two  animals  ftill  in  view  as  the  centre  of  our 
companion  ;  as  objects  to  which  many  others  may  bear  fomc 
iamilitude,  though  they  but  little  approach  each  other.  Among 
the  hare  kind  is  the  marmout,  which  naturalifts  have  placed 
either  among  the  hare  kind  or  the  rat  kind,  as  it  fuited  their 
refpective  fyftems.  In  fa  el,  it  bears  no  great  refemblance  to 
either;  but  of  the  two,  it  approaches  much  nearer  the  hare,  as 
well  in  the  make  of  its  head  as  in  its  fize,  in  its  bufhy  tail,  and 
particularly  in  its  chewing  the  cud,  which  alone  is  fufficient  t^ 
determine  our  choice  in  giving  it  its  prefent  fituation.  How  it 
ever  came  to  be  degraded  into  the  rat  or  the  moufe,  I  cannot 
conceive,  for  it  no  way  refembles  them  in  fize,  being  near  as 
big  as  a  hare ;  or  in  its  cifpoiition,  fince  no  animal  is  more 
traceable  or  more  eafily  tamed. 

The  marmout  is,  as  was  faid,  almoft  as  big  as  a  hare,  but  it 
is  more  corpulent  than  a  cat,  and  has  ihorttr  legs.  Its  head 
pretty  nearly  refembles  that  of  a  hare,  except  that  its  ears  are 
much  fiiort.r.  It  is  clothed  all  over  with  very  long  hair,  and  a 
(horter  fur  below.  Thefe  are  of  different  colours,  black  and 
grey.  The  length  of  the  hair  gives  the  body  the  appearance  of 
greater  corpulence  than  it  really  has,  and,  at  the  fame  time, 
Shortens  the  feet,  fo  that  its  belly  feems  touching  the  ground. 
Its  tail  is  tufted  and  well  furniihed  with  hair,  and  it  is  carried 
in  a  ilraight  direction  with  its  body.  It  has  five  claws  behind, 
and  only  four  before.  Thefe  it  ufes  as  the  fquirrel  does,  to  carry 

*  He  may  eafily  be  made  tame ;  but  he  is  apt  to  do  a  great  deal  of  damage. 
in  the  com  fields,  becaufe  he  will  crop  the  corn  as  foon  as  it  begins  to  ear ! 

BROOKE'S  NAT. 


256  ANIMALS  OF  THE 

its  food  to  its  mouth  ;  and  it  ufually  fits  upon  its  hinder  parts 
to  feed  in  the  manner  of  that  little  animal. 

The  marmout  is  chiefly  a  native  of  the  Alps  ;  and,  when 
taken  young,  is  tamed  more  eafily  than  any  other  wild  animal, 
and  almoft  as  perfectly  as  any  of  thofe  that  are  domeilic.*    It 
is  readily  taught  to  dance,  to  wield  a  cudgel,  and  to  obey   the 
voice  of  its  mafter.  Like  the  cat,   it  has  an  antipathy  to  the 
dog  ;  and  when  it  becomes  familiar  to  the  family,  and  is  fare  of 
being   fupporred  by   its  mailer,  it  attacks  and  bites  even  the 
largeft  maftiff.    From  its  fquat,  mufcular  make,    it  has  great 
ftrength  joined  to  great  agility.  It  has  four  large  cutting  teeth, 
like  all  thofe  of  the  hare  kind,  but  it  ufes  them  to  much  more  ad- 
vantage, fince  in  this  animal  they  are  very  formidable  weapons 
of  defence.  However,  it  is  in  general  a  very  inoffenfive  animal; 
and,  except  its  enmity  to  dogs,  fecms  to  live  in  friendship  with 
every  creature,  unlefs  when  provoked.  If  not  prevented,  it  is 
very  apt  to  gnaw  the  furniture  of  a  houfe,  and  even  to  make 
holes  through  wooden  partitions ;  from  whence,  perhaps,  it 
has  been  compared  to  the  rat.  As  its  legs  are  very  fhort,  and 
made  fomewhat  like  thofe  of  a  bear,  it  is  often  feen  fitting  up, 
and  even  walking  on  its  hind  legs  in  like  manner  ;  but  with  the 
fore-paws,  as  was  faid,  it  ufes  to  feed  itfelf  in  the  manner  of 
a  fquirrel.  Like  all  of  the  hare  kind,  it  runs  much  fwifter  up 
hill  than  down ;  it  climbs  trees  with  great  eafe,  and   runs  up 
the  clefts  of  rocks,  or  the  contiguous  walls  of  houfes  with  great 
facility.  It  is  iudicroufly  faid,  that  the  Savoyards,  who  are  the 
only  chimney-fweepers  of  Paris,  have  learned  this  art  from  the 
marmout,  which  is  bred  in  the  fame  country. 

Thefe  animals  eat  indifcriminately  of  whatever  is  prefented 
to  them  ;  flefh,  bread,  fruits,  herbs,  roots,  pulfe,  and  infects. 
But  they  are  particularly  fond  of  milk  and  butter.  Although 
lefs  inclined  to  petty  thefts  than  the  cat,  yet  they  always  try  to 
fleal  into  the  dairy,  where  they  lap  up  the  milk  like  a  cat,  pur- 
ring all  the  while  like  that  animal,  as  an  expreffion  of  their  be- 

*  BufFon,  from  whence  the  remainder  of  ihi*  Uefcription  is  taken.  N.  B.  Ke 
takes  it  from  Gcfncr,  vol.  xvii. 


HARE   KIND.  257 

ing  plenfed.  As  to  the  reft,  milk  is  the  only  liquor  they  like. 
They  feldom  drink  water,  and  refute  wine.  When  pleafed  or 
carefTed,  they  often  yelp  like  puppies  ;  but  when  irritated  or 
frighted,  they  have  a  piercing  note  that  hurts  the  ear.  They 
are  very  cle?.:ily  animals,  and,  like  the  cat,  retire  upon  neceflary 
occafions  -,  but  their  bodies  have  a  difagreeable  fcent,  particu- 
larly in  the  heat  of  fummer.  This  tinctures  their  flelh,  which, 
being  very  fat  and  firm,  would  be  very  good,  were  not  this  fla- 
vour always  found  to  predominate. 

We  have  hitherto  been  defcribing  affections  in  this  animal, 
which  it  has  in  common  with  many  others  ;  but  we  now  come 
to  one  which  particularly  diilmguimes  it  from  all  others  of  this 
kind,  r.nd,  indeed,  from  every  other  quadruped  except  the  bat 
and  the  dormoufe.  This  is  its  ileeping  during  the  winter.  The 
marmout,  though  a  native  of  the  higheft  mountains,  and 
where  the  fnow  is  never  wholly  melted,  neverthelefs  feems  to 
feel  the  influence  of  the  cold  more  than  any  other,  and,  in  a 
manner,  has  all  its  faculties  chilled  up  in  winter.  This  extraor- 
dinary fufpenfion  of  life  and  motion  for  more  than  half  the 
year,  d~ferves  our  wonder  and  excites  our  attention,  to  confider 
the  manner  of  fuch  a  temporary  death,  and  the  fublequent  re- 
vival. Buturft  to  defcribe,  before  we  attempt  to  difcufs. 

The  marmout,  ufually  at  the  end  of  September,  or  the  be- 
ginning of  October,  prepares  to  fit  up  its  habitation  for  the 
winter,  from  which  it  is  never  feen  to  iflue  till  about  the  be- 
ginning or  the  middle  of  April.  This  animal's  little  retreat  is 
made  with  great  precaution,  and  fitted  up  with  art.  It  is  a 
hole  on  the  fide  of  a  mouatain,  extremely  deep,  with  a  fpaci- 
ous  apartment  at  the  bottom,  which  is  rather  longer  than  it  is 
broad.  In  this,  feveral  marmouts  can  refide  at  the  fame  time, 
without  crowding  each  other,  or  injuring  the  air  they  breathe. 
The  feet  and  claws  of  this  animal  feem  made  for  digging;  and, 
in  fact,  they  burrow  into  the  ground  with  amazing  facility, 
fcrap'mg  up  the  earth  like  a  rabbit  and  throwing  back  what 
they  have  thus  loofened  behind  them.  But  the  form  of  their  hole 
is  ftill  more  wonderful ;  it  refembles  the  letter  Y  ;  the  two. 

VOL.  II.  2  K 


±5*  ANIMALS  OF  THE 

branches  being  two  openings,  which  conduct  into  one  channel 
which  terminates  in  their  general  apartment  that  lies  at  the 
bottom.  As  the  hole  is  made  on  the  declivity  of  a  mountain, 
there  is  no  part  of  it  on  a  level  but  the  apartment  at  the  end. 
One  of  the  branches,  or  openings,  iilues  out,  floping  down- 
wards ;  and  this  ferves  as  a  kind  of  fink  or  drain  to  the  whole 
family,  where  they  make  their  excrements,  and  where  the  moif- 
ture  of  the  place  is  drawn  away.  The  other  branch,  on  the 
contrary,  flopes  upwards,  and  this  ferves  as  their  door  upon 
which  to  go  out  and  in.  The  apartment  at  the  end  is  very 
warmly  ftuccoed  round  with  mofs  and  hay,  of  both  which 
they  make  an  ample  provifion  during  the  fummer.  As  this  is 
a  work  of  great  labour,  fo  it  is  undertaken  in  common  ;  fome 
cut  the  fineft  grafs,  others  gather  it,  and  others  take  their 
turns  to  drag  it  into  their  hole.  Upon  this  occafion,  as  we  are 
told,  one  of  them  lies  on  its  back,  permits  the  hay  to  be 
heaped  upon  its  belly,  keeps  its  paws  upright  to  make  greater 
room  ;  and  in  this  manner,  lying  flill  upon  its  back,  it  is  drag- 
ged by  the  tail,  hay  and  all,  to  their  common  retreat.  This  alfo 
fome  give  as  a  reafon  for  the  hair  being  generally  worn  away 
on  their  backs,  as  is  ufually  the  cafe  ;  however,  a  better  reafon 
for  this  may  be  affigned,  from  their  continually  rooting  up 
holes  and  patting  through  narrow  openings.  But,  be  this  as  it 
will,  certain  it  is,  that  they  live  all  together,  and  work  in  com- 
mon, to  make  their  habitation  as  fnug  and  convenient  as  pofli- 
ble.  In  it  they  pafs  three  parts  of  their  lives  ;  into  it  they  retire 
when  the  ftorm  is  high  ;  in  it  they  continue  while  it  rains ; 
there  they  remain  when  apprehenfive  of  danger,  and  never  ftir 
out  except  in  fine  weather,  never  going  far  from  home  even 
then.  Whenever  they  venture  abroad,  one  is  placed  as  a  cen- 
tinel,  fitting  upon  a  lofty  rock,  while  the  reft  amufe  themfelves 
in  playing  along  the  green  fields,  or  are  employed  in  cutting 
grafs  and  making  hay  for  their  winter's  convenience.  Their 
trufty  centinel,  when  an  enemy,  a  man,  n  dog,  or  a  bird  of 
prey,  approaches,  apprizes  its  companions  with  a  whiftle,  upon 
whicli  they  all  make  home,  the  centinel  hiqifdf  bringing  up 
the  rear. 


HARE   KIND  a$<> 

But,  it  muft  not  be  fuppofed  that  this  hay  is  defigned  for 
provifion  ;  on  the  contrary,  it  is  always  found  in  as  great  plenty 
in  their  holes  at  the  end,  as  at  the  beginning  of  winter  ;  it  is 
only  fought  for  the  convenience  of  their  lodging,  and  the  ad- 
vantages of  their  young.  As  to  provifion,  they  ieem  kindly  ap- 
prized by  nature,  that  during  the  winter  they  {hall  not  want 
any,  fo  that  they  make  no  preparations  for  food,  though  fo 
diligently  employed  in  fitting  up  their  abode.  As  foon  as  they 
perceive  the  firft  approaches  of  the  winter,  during  which  their 
vital  motions  are  to  continue  in  fome  meafure  fufpended,  they 
labour  very  diligently  to  clofe  up  the  two  entrances  of  their 
habitation,  which  they  effeft  with  fuch  folidity,  that  it  is  eafier 
to  dig  up  the  earth  any  where  elfe  than  where  they  have  clofed 
it.  At  that  time  they  are  very  fat,  and  fome  of  them  are  found 
to  weigh  above  twenty  pounds  ;  they  continue  fo  for  even 
three  months  more  ;  but,  by  degrees,  their  fleih  begins  to  wade, 
and  they  are  ufually  very  lean  by  the  end  of  winter.  When 
their  retreat  is  opened,  the  whole  family  is  then  difcovered, 
each  rolled  into  a  ball,  and  covered  up  under  the  hay.  In  this 
ftate,  they  feem  entirely  lifelefs  ;  they  may  be  taken  away,  and 
even  killed  without  their  teftifying  any  great  pain  •,  and  thofe 
who  find  them  in  this  manner,  carry  them  home  in  order  to 
breed  up  the  young  and  eat  the  old  ones.  A  gradual  and  gen- 
tle warmth  revives  them ;  but  they  would  die  if  too  fuddenlv 
brought  near  the  fire,  or  if  their  juices  were  too  quickly  li- 
quefied. 

Strictly  fpeaking,  fays  mr.  Button,  thefe  animals  cannot  be 
faid  to  fleep  during  the  winter  ;  it  may  be  called  rather  a  tor- 
por, a  ftagnation  of  all  the  faculties*.  This  torpor  is  produced 
by  the  congelation  of  their  blood,  which  is  naturally  muc?A 
colder  than  that  of  all  other  quadrupeds.  The  ufual  heat  of 
man,  and  other  animals,  is  about  thirty  degrees  above  congela* 
tion  ;  the  heat  of  thefe  is  not  above  ten  degrees.  Their  internal 
heat  is  feldom  greater  than  that  of  the  temperature  of  the  air, 
This  has  been  often  tried  by  plunging  the  ball  of  the  thermome- 

*  Buflfusijvol.  xvi.     ! 


260  ANIMALS   OF    THE 

ter  into  the  body  of  a  living  dormoufc,  and  it  never  role 
beyond  its  ufual  pitch  in  air,  and  fometimes  it  funk  above  a 
degree.  It  is  not  furprizirig,  therefore,  that  thefe  animals, 
whofe  blood  is  fo  cold  naturally,  fhould  become  torpid,  when 
the  external  cold  is  too  powerful  for  the  Imall  quantity  of 
heat  in  their  bodies,  yet  remaining  j  and  this  always  happens 
when  rhc  thermometer  is  not  more  than  ten  degrees  above 
congelation.  This  coldnefs,  mr.  Buffon  has  experienced  in  the 
blood  of  the  bat,  the  dorinoufe,  and  the  hedge-hog  ;  and,  with 
great  juftice,  he  extends  the  analogy  to  the  marmout,  which, 
like  the  reft,  is  feen  to  fleep  all  the  winter.  This  torpid  (late 
continues  as  long  as  the  caufe  which  produces  it  continues  ; 
and  it  is  very  probable  that  it  might  be  lengthened  out  beyond 
its  ufual  term,  by  artificially  prolonging  the  cold ;  if,  for  in- 
ftance,  the  animal  were  rolled  up  in  wool,  and  placed  in  a  cold 
cellar,  nearly  approaching  to,  but  not  quite  fo  cold  as  an  ice- 
houfe,  for  that  would  kill  them  outright,  it  would  remain  per- 
haps a  whole  year  in  its  ftate  of  infenfibility.  However  this 
be,  if  the  heat  of  the  air  be  above  ten  degrees^  thefe  animals 
are  feen  to  revive ;  and,  if  it  be  continued  in  that  degree  of 
temperature,  they  do  not  become  torpid,  but  eat  and  fleep  at 
proper  intervals,  like  all  other  quadrupeds  whatever. 

From  the  above  account,  we  may  form  fome  conception  of 
the  ftate  in  which  thefe  animals  continue  during  the  winter. 
As  in  fome  diforders,  where  the  circulation  is  extremely  lan- 
guid, the  appetite  is  diminiihed  in  proportion,  fo  in  thefe,  the 
blood  fcarcely  moving,  or  only  moving  in  the  greater  veflels, 
they  want  no  nourifhment  to  repair  what  is  worn  away  by  its 
motions.  They  are  feen,  indeed,  by  flow  degrees,  to  become 
leaner  in  proportion  to  the  flow  attrition  of  their  fluids  ;  but 
this  is  not  perceptible  except  at  the  end  of  fome  months.  Man 
is  often  known  to  gather  nourifhment  from  the  ambient  air  ; 
and  thefe  alfo  may,  in  fome  meafure,  be  fupplied  in  the  fame 
manner ;  and,  having  fufficient  motion  in  their  fluids  to  keep 
them  from  putrefaction,  and  juft  fufficient  nourifhment  to  fup- 
ply  the  wafte  of  their  languid  circulation,  they  continue  rather 
feebly  alive  than  fleeping. 


HARE   KIND.  261 

Thefe  animals  produce  but  once  a  year,  and  ufually  bring 
forth  but  three  or  four  at  a  time.  They  grow  very  faft,  and 
the  extent  of  their  lives  is  not  above  nine  or  ten  years ;  fo  that 
the  fpecies  is  neither  numerous  nor  very  much  diffufed.  They 
are  chiefly  found  in  the  Alps,  where  they  feem  to  prefer  the 
brow  of  the  higheft  mountains  to  the  lowed  ranges,  ar.cl  ths 
funny  fide  to  that  in  the  fhade.  The  inhabitants  of  the  coun- 
try, where  they  chiefly  refide,  when  they  obferve  the  hole, 
generally  ftay  till  winter  before  they  think  proper  to  open  it  5 
for,  if  they  begin  too  foon,  the  animal  wakes,  and,  as  it  has  a 
furprizing  faculty  of  digging,  makes  its  hole  deeper  in  propor- 
tion as  they  fi/Ucw.  Such  as  kill  it  for  food,  ufe  every  art  to 
improve  the  fieih,  which  is  faid  to  have  a  wild  tafte,  and  to 
caufe  vomitings*.  They,  therefore,  take  away  the  fat,  which 
is  in  great  abundance,  and  fait  the  remainder,  drying  it  fome- 
what  in  the  manner  of  bacon.  Still,  however,  it  is  faid  to  be 
very  indifferent  eating.  This  animal  is  found  in  Poland,  under 
the  denomination  of  the  boback,  entirely  refembling  that  of  the 
Alps,  except  that  the  latter  has  a  toe  more  upon  its  fore-foot 
than  the  former.  It  is  found  alfo  in  Siberia,  under  the  name 
of  the  Jevrafka,  beiiig  rather  fmaller  than  either  of  the  other 
two.  Laflly,  it  is  found  in  Canada  by  the  appellation  of  the 
monax,  differing  only  from  the  refl  in  having  a  bluifli  fnout 
and  a  longer  tail. 


THE     AGOUTI. 

FROM  the  marrnout,  which  differs  from  the  hare  fo  much 
in  the  length  of  its  fur,  we  go  to  the  agouti,  another  fpecies 
equally  differing  in  the  fhortnefs  of  its  hair.  Thefe  bear  fome 
rude  refemblance  to  the  hare  and  the  rabbit  in  their  form  anil 
manner  of  living,  but  fafficiently  differing  to  require  a  particu- 
lar defcription.  The  firft  of  thefe,  and  that  the  largeft,  as  was 
hinted  above,  is  called  the  agouti.  This  animal  is  found  in 
great  abundance  in  the  fouthern  parts  of  America,  and  has  by 

*  Biclionnaire  Rai&nnee,  vol.  iii.  p. 


ANIMALS  OF  THE 

fomebeen  called  the  rabbit  of  that  continent.  But,  though,  in 
many  refpecls,  it  refembles  the  rabbit,  yet  ftill  in  many  more  it 
differs,  and  is,  without  all  doubt,  an  animal  peculiar  to  the 
new  world  only.  The  agouti  is  about  the  fize  of  a  rabbit,  and 
has  a  head  very  much  refembling  it,  except  that  the  ears  are 
very  fhort  in  comparifon.  It  refembles  the  rabbit  alfo  in  the 
arched  form  of  its  back,  in  the  hind  legs  being  longer  than 
the  fore,  and  in  having  four  great  cutting  teeth,  two  above  and 
two  below ;  but  then  it  differs  in  the  nature  of  its  hair, 
which  is  not  foft  and  downy  as  in  the  rabbit,  but  hard  and 
brifdy  like  that  of  a  fucking  pig,  and  of  a  reddifh  brown  co- 
lour. It  differs  alfo  in  the  tail,  which  is  even  fhorter  than  in 
the  rabbit,  and  entirely  deititute  of  hair.  Laftly,  it  differs  in 
the  number  of  its  toes,  having  but  three  on  the  hinder  feet, 
whereas  the  rabbit  has  five.  All  thefe  diflinctions,  however, 
do  not  countervail  againfl  its  general  form,  which  refembles 
that  of  a  rabbit,  and  mod  travellers  have  called  it  by  that  name. 

As  this  animal  differs  in  form,  it  differs  ftill  more  in  habi- 
tudes and  difpofition.  As  it  has  the  hair  of  a  hog,  fo  alfo  it  has 
its  voracioufnefs.*  It  eats  indifcriminately  of  all  things ;  and, 
when  fatiated,  hides  the  remainder,  like  the  dog  or  the  fox,  for 
a  future  odcafion.  It  takes  a  pleafure  in  gnawing  and  fpoiling 
every  thing  it  comes  near.  When  irritated,  its  hair  ftands 
erecl:  along  the  back,  and,  like  the  rabbit,  it  ftrikes  the  ground 
violently  with  its  hind  feet.  It  does  not  dig  a  hole  in  the 
ground,  but  burrows  in  the  hollows  of  trees.  Its  ordinary  food 
confiftsof  the  roots  of  the  country,  potatoes  and  yams,  and 
fuch  fruits  as  fall  from  the  trees  in  autumn.  It  ufes  its  fore- 
paws  like  the  fquirrel,  to  carry  its  food  to  its  mouth;  and,  as  its 
hind  feet  are  longer  than  the  fore,  it  runs  very  fwiftly  upon 
plain  ground  or  up  a  hill,  but,  upon  a  defcent,  it  is  in  danger 
of  falling.  Its  fight  is  excellent,  and  its  hearing  equa  Is  that 
of  any  other  animal  ;  whenever  it  is  whittled  to,  it  flops  to 
hearken.  The  flefli  of  fuch  as  are  fat  and  well  fed,  is  tolerable 
food,  although  it  has  a  peculiar  tafle  and  is  a  little  tough.  The 
French  drefs  it  like  a  fucking-pig,  as  we  learn  from  mr.  Buf- 

»  Euffon. 


HARE   KIND.  263 

fon's  account  •,  but  the  Englifli  drefs  it  with  a  pudding  in  its 
belly,  like  a  hare.  It  is  hunted  by  dogs ;  and  whenever  it  has 
got  into  a  fugar  ground,  where  the  canes  cover  the  place,  it  is 
cafily  overtaken,  for  it  is  embarrafied  every  ftep  it  takes,  fo  that 
a  man  may  eafily  come  up  with  it  without  any  other  affiftance. 
When,  in  the  open  country,  it  ufually  runs  with  great  fwiftnefs 
before^the  dogs,  until  it  gains  its  retreat,  within  which  it  con- 
tinues to  hide,  and  nothing  but  filling  the  hole  with  fmoke  can 
force  it  out.  For  this  purpofe,  the  hunter  burns  faggots  or 
ftra\v  at  the  entrance,  and  conduces  ths  fmoke  in  fuch  a  man- 
ner, that  it  fills  the  whole  cavity.  While  this  is  doing,  the  poor 
little  animal  feems  fenfible  of  its  danger,  and  begs  for  quarter 
with  a  moft  plaintive  cry,  feldom  quitting  its  hole  till  the  ut- 
moft  extremity.  At  laft,  when  half  fuffocated,  it  iffues  out, 
and  trufts  once  more  to  its  fpeed  for  protection.  When  ftill 
forced  by  the  dogs,  and  incapable  of  making  good  a  retreat,  it 
turns  upon  the  hunters,  and,  with  its  hair  bridling  like  a  hog, 
Handing  upon  its  hind  feet,  it  defends  itfelf  very  obftinately. 
Sometimes  it  bites  the  legs  of  thofe  that  attempt  to  take  it,  and 
will  take  out  the  piece  wherever  it  fixes  its  teeth.  * 

Its  cry,  when  diflurbed  or  provoked,  refembles  that  of  a  fuck- 
ing pig.  If  taken  young,  it  is  eafily  tamed,  continues  to  play 
harmlefsly  about  the  houfe,  and  goes  out  and  returns  of  its 
own  accord.  In  a  favage  (late  it  ufually  continues  in  the  woods, 
and  the  female  generally  choofes  the  moft  obfcure  parts  to 
bring  forth  her  young.  She  there  prepares  a  bed  of  leaves  and 
dry  grafs,  and  generally  brings  forth  two  at  a  time.  She  breeds 
twice  or  thrice  a  year,  and  carries  her  young  from  one  place 
to  another,  as  convenience  requires,  in  the  manner  of  a  cat. 
She  generally  lodges  them  when  three  days  old  in  the  hollow 
of  a  tree,  fuckling  them  but  for  a  very  fhort  time,  for  they 
foon  come  to  perfection,  and  it  fhould  confequently  follow  that 
they  foon  grow  old. 

«  Ray\  Synop. 


ANIMALS   OF  THE 
THE    P  A  C  A. 


THE  paca  is  an  animal  alfoof  South-  America,  very  much. 
refcmbling  the  former,  and,  like  it,  has  received  the  name  of 
the  American  rabbit,  but  with  as  little  propriety.  It  is  shout 
the  fize  cf  a  tare,  or  rather  larger,  and  in  figure  fc^ev  tat 
like  a  fucking  pig,  which  it  alfo  refembles  in  its  grunt  -'m  ,  .  1 
its  manner  of  eating.  -It  is,  however,  moft  like  the  a^ou  i  - 
though  it  differs  in  feveral  particulars.  Like  the  agouti,  ic  is 
covered  rather  with  coarfehair  than  a  downy  fur.  But  thcii  it 
is  beautifully  marked  along  the  fides  with  fmall  afh-coloured 
fpots,  upon  an  amber-coloured  ground;  whereas,  the  agouti  is 
pretty  much  of  one  reddiih  colour.  The  paca  is  rather  more 
thick  and  corpulent  than  the  agouti  ;  its  nofe  is  thorter,  and 
its  hind  feet  have  five  toes  ;  whereas,  the  agouti  Iras  but  three. 
As  to  thcrcft,  this  animal  beaisfome  diftantrefemblanceto  a  rab- 
bit, the  e2i3  are  naked  of  hair,  and  fomewhat  iharp,  the  lower 
jaw  is  fomewhat  longer  than  the  upper,  the  teeth,  the  fhape 
of  the  head,  and  the  fize  of  it,  are  like  thofe  of  a  rabbit.  It 
has  a  fhort  tail  like  wife,  though  not  tufted,  and  its  hinder  legs 
are  longer  than  the  fore.  It  alfo  burrows  in  the  ground 
like  that  animal,  and  from  this  fimilitude  alone,  travellers  might 
have  given  it  the  name. 

The  paca  docs  not  make  ufe  of  its  fore-paws,  like  the  fquir- 
jtl  or  the  agouti,  to  carry  its  food  to  the  mouth,  but  hunts 
for  it  on  the  ground,  and  roots  like  a  hog.  It  is  generally  feen 
along  the  banks  of  rivers,  and  is  cnly  to  be  found  in  the  moid 
and  warm  countries  of  South-America.  It  is  a  very  f:it  animal, 
and  in  this  refpecl,  much  preferable  to  the  agouti,  that  is  moil 
commonly  found  lean.  It  is  eaten,  fkin  and  all,  lik~  a  young 
pig,,  and  is  conGdcred  as  a  great  delicacy.  Like  the  former 
little  animal,  it  defends  itfelf  to  the  lafl:  extremity,  and  is  very 
feldo-m^iken  alive.  It  is  perfecuted  not  only  by  man,  but  by 
f;very  bcaft  and  bird  of  prey,  who-  all  watch  its  motions,  and, 
*f  it  ventures  at  any  distance  from.  its  hole,  are  fure  to  feize  it, 


t //////>/ T- 


HARE   KIND.  26; 

But  although  the  race  of  thefc  little  animals  is  thus  continually 
deflroyed,  it  finds  fome  refuge  in  its  hole  from  the  general 
combinaiion;  ?.nd  breeds  in  fuch  numbers,  that  the  diminution 
is  not  perceptible. 

To  thefe  animals  may  be  added  others,  very  fimilar  both  in 
form  and  diipofition  ;  each  known  by  its  particular  name  in  its 
native  country,  but  which  travellers  have  been  contented  to 
call  rabbits 'or  hares;  of  which  we  have  but  indiftinft  notice. 
The  tapeti,  or  the  Brafilian  rabbit,  is  in  fhape  like  our  Englifh 
ones,  but  is  much  lefs,  being  faid  to  be  not  above  twice  the 
fize  of  a  dormoufe.  It  is  reddifh  on  the  fore-head,  and  a  little 
whitifli  under  the  throat.  It  is  remarkable  for  having  no  tail ; 
but  it  has  long  ears  and  whifkers,  like  our  rabbits,  and  black 
eyes.  It  does  not  burrow,  like  ours ;  but  lives  at  large,  like  the 
hare. 

The  aperea  is  alfo  called  by  fome  the  Brafilian  rabbit,  being 
an  animal  that  feems  to  partake  of  die  nature  of  a  rabbit  and  a 
rat.  The  ears  are  like  thofe  of  a  rat,  being  fhort  and  round  ; 
but  the  other  parts  are  like  thofe  of  a  rabbit,  except  that  it  has 
but  three  toes  on  the  hinder  legs,  like  the  agouti. 

To  thefe  imperfect  (ketches  of  animals  little  known,  others 
lefs  known  might  be  added  ;  for,  as  nature  becomes  more  di- 
minutive, her  operations  are  lefs  attentively  regarded.  I  mail 
only,  therefore,  add  one  animal  more  to  this  clafs,  and  that 
very  well  known  ;  I  mean  the  Guinea-pig  ;  which  Brifibn 
places  among  thofe  of  the.  rabbit  kind  ;  and,  as  I  do  not  know 
any  other  fet  of  animals  with  which  it  can  be  fo  well  com- 
pared, I  will  take  leave  to  follow  his  example. 

THE     G  U  I  N  E  A-P  I  G. 


THE  Guinea-pig  is  a  native  of  the  warmer  climates  ;  but 
has  been  fo  long  rendered  domeftic,  and  fo  widely  diffufed, 
that  it  is  now  become  common  in  every  part  of  the  world. 
There  are  few  unacquainted  with  the  figure  of  this  little  ani- 

VOL.  II.  2  L 


266  ANIMALS   OF  THE 

mal  ;  in  fome  places  it  is  confidered  as  the  principal  favou- 
rite ;  and  is  often  found  even  to  difplace  the  lap-dog.  It  is 
lefs  than  a  rabbit,  and  its  legs  are  fhorter  ;  they  are  fcarce 
feen,  except  when  it  moves  ;  and  the  neck,  alfo,  is  fo  mort, 
that  the  head  feems  (luck  upon  the  ihouMcrs.  The  ears  are 
ihort,  thin  and  tranfparent,  the  hair  is  like  that  of  a  fucking 
pig,  from  whence  it  has  taken  the  name  j  and  it  wants  even 
the  veftiges  of  a  tail.  In  other  refpecis,  it  has  fome  fimili- 
tude  to  the  rabbit.  When  it  moves,  its  body  lengthens  like  that 
animal  ;  and  when  it  is  at  reft,  it  gathers  up  in  the  fame  man- 
ner. Its  nofe  is  formed  with  the  rabbit  lip,  except  that  its  nof- 
trils  are  much  further  afunder.  Like  all  other  animals  in  a 
dome  (lie  Hate,  its  colours  are  different  ;  fome  are  white,  fome 
are  red,  and  others  both  red  and  white.  It  differs  from  the 
rabbit  in  the  number  of  its  toes,  having  four  toes  on  the  feet 
before,  and  but  three  on  thofe  behind.  It  ftrokes  its  head  with 
the  fore  feet  like  the  rabbit  •,  and,  like  it,  fits  upon  the  hind 
feet  ;  for  which  purpofe,  there  is  a  naked  callous  fkin  on  the 
back  part  of  the  legs  and  feet. 

Thefe  animals  are  of  all  others  the  moil  helplefs  and  in- 
offenfive*.  They  are  fcarce  poflefTed  of  courage  fufficient  to 
defend  themfelves  againft  the  meaneft  of  all  quadrupeds,  a 
moufe.  Their  only  animofity  is  exerted  againft  each  other  ; 
for  they  will  often  fight  very  obftinately  ;  and  the  ftronger  is 
often  known  to  deftroy  the  weaker.  But  againft  all  other 
aggreflbrs,  their  only  remedy  is  patience  and  non-refiftance. 
How,  therefore,  thefe  animals,  in  a  favage  ftate,  could  con- 
trive to  protect  themfelves,  I  have  not  been  able  to  learn  ;  as 
they  want  ftrength,  fwiftnefs,  and  even  the  natural  inftinft  fo 
common  to  almoft  every  other  creature. 

As  to  their  manner  of  living  among  us,  they  owe  their  lives 
entirely  to  our  unceafmg  protection.  They  muft  be  conftamly 
attended,  fhielded  from  the  exceffive  colds  of  the  winter,  and 
fecured  againft  all  other  domeftic  animals,  which  are  apt  to  at- 


*  Tins  hiftory  is  partly  taken  from  the  Am;eaitate»  Ae.-j-.icniicx,  vol.  i 
p.  202. 


HARE   KIND.  267 

tack  them,  from  every  motive,  either  of  appetite,  jealoufy, 
or  experience  of  their  pufillanimous  nature.  Such  indeed  is 
their  ftupidity,  that  they  fuffer  themfelves  to  be  devoured  by 
the  cats,  without  refiftance  i  and,  differing  from  all  other  crea- 
tures, the  female  fees  her  young  destroyed  without  once  at- 
tempting to  protect  them.  Their  ufual  food  is  bran,  parfley, 
or  cabbage  leaves  ;  but  there  is  fcarce  a  vegetable  cultivated 
in  our  gardens  that  they  will  not  gladly  devour.  The  carrot- 
top  is  a  peculiar  dainty ;  as  alfo  fallad  ;  and  thofe  \vho  would 
preferve  their  healths,  would  do  right  to  vary  their  food ;  for, 
if  they  be  continued  on  a  kind  too  fucculent  or  too  dry,  the 
effects  are  quickly  perceived  upon  their  conftitutions.  When 
fed  upon  recent  vegetables,  they  feldom  drink.  But  it  often 
happens,  that,  conducted  by  nature,  they  feek  drier  food,  when 
the  former  difagrees  with  them.  They  then  knaw  clothes, 
paper,  or  whatever  of  this  kind  they  meet  with  ;..and,  on  thefe 
occafions,  they  are  feen  to  drink  like  moft  other  animals, 
which  they  do  by  lapping.  They  are  chiefly  fond  of  new  milk ; 
but,  in  cafe  of  neceflity,  are  contented  with  water. 

They  move  pretty  much  in  the  manner  of  rabbits,  though, 
not  near  fo  fwiftly ;  and  when  confined  in  a  room,  feldom, 
crofs  the  floor,  but  generally  keep  along  the  wall.  The  male 
ufually  drives  the  female  on  before  him,  for  they  never  move 
a-breafl  together  ;  but  conftantly  die  one  feems  to  tread  in 
the  footfteps  of  the  preceding.  They  chiefly  feek  for  the 
darkeft  recefles,  and  the  moil  intricate  retreats  ;  where,  if 
hay  be  fpread  as  a  bed  for  them,  they  continue  to  fleep  to- 
gether, and  feldom  venture  out  but  when  they  fuppofe  all 
interruption  removed.  On  thofe  occafions  they  a£t  as  rabbits  i 
they  fwiftly  move  forward  from  their  bed,  flop  at  the  en- 
trance, liften,  look  round,  and,  if  they  perceive  the  flighteft 
approach  of  danger,  they  run  back  with  precipitation.  In  very 
cold  weather,  however,  they  are  more  active,  and  run  about  in 
order  to  keep  themfelves  warm. 

They  are  a  very  cleanly  animal,  and' very  different  from 
that  whofe  name  they  go  by.  If  the  young  ones  happen  to 
fall  into  the  dirt,  or  be  any  other  way  difcompofed,  the  female 


268  ANIMALS   OF  THE 

takes  fuch  an  averfion  to  them,  that  fhe  never  permits  them  to 
vifit  her  more.  Indeed,  her  whole  employment,  as  well  as  that 
of  the  male,  fecms  to  confift  in  finoothing  their  {kins,  in  dif- 
pofmg  their  hair,  and  improving  its  glofs.  The  male  and  fe- 
male take  this  office  by  turns  ;  and  when  they  have  thus  brufh- 
ed  up  each  other,  they  then  beftow  all  their  concern  upon 
their  young,  taking  particular  care  to  make  their  hair  lie  fmooth, 
and  biting  them  if  they  appear  refractory.  As  they  are  fo  fo- 
licitous  for  elegance  themfeives,  the  place  where  they  are  kept, 
muft  be  regularly  cleaned,  and  a  new  bed  of  hay  provided  for 
them  at  leait  every  week.  Being  natives  of  a  warm  climate, 
they  are  naturally  chilly  in  ours  :  clcanlinefs,  therefore,  af- 
fifts  warmth,  and  expels  rnoifture.  They  may  be  thus  reared, 
without  th  aid  of  any  artificial  heat  -,  but,  in  general,  there 
is  no  keeping  them  from  the  fire  in  winter,  if  they  be  once 
permitted  to  approach  it. 

When  they  go  to  fleep,  they  lie  fiat  on  their  bellies,  pretty 
much  in  their  ufual  poflure ;  except  that  they  love  to  have 
their  fore  feet  higher  than  their  hinder.  For  tins  purpofe, 
they  turn  themfeives  feveral  times  round  before  they  lie  down, 
to  find  the  moft  convenient  fituation.  They  fleep,  like  the 
hare,  with  their  eyes  half  open  j  and  continue  extremely 
watchful,  if  they  fufpecl:  danger.  The  male  aixd  female  are 
never  feen  both  afleep  at  the  fame  time  ;  but  while  he  enjoys 
his  repofe,  fhe  remains  upon  the  watch,  filently  continuing 
to  guard  him,  and  her  head  turned  towards  the  place  where 
he  lies.  "When  {he  fuppofes  that  he  has  had  his  turn,  fhe  then 
awakes  him  with  a  kind  of  murmuring  noife,  goes  to  him, 
forces  him  from  his  bed,  and  lie^  down  in  his  place.  He  then 
performs  the  fame  good  turn  for  her ;  and  continues  watchful 
till  {he  alfo  has  done  fleeping. 

Thefe  animals  are  exceedingly  falacious,  and  generally  are 
capable  of  coupling  at  fix  weeks  old.  The  female  never  goes 
with  young  above  five  weeks  ;  and  ufually  brings  forth  from 
three  to  five  at  a  time  •,  and  this  not  without  pain.  But  what 
is  very  extraordinary,  the  female  admits  the  male  the  very  day 


HARE   KIND.  269 

flic  has  brought  forth,  and  becomes  again  pregnant  •,  fo  that 
their  multiplication  is  aftonifhing.  She  fuckles  her  young  but 
about  twelve  or  fifteen  days ;  and,  during  that  time,  does  not 
feem  to  know  her  own  •,  for  if  the  young  of  any  other  be 
brought,  though  much  older,  (he  never  drives  them  away,  but 
fufters  them  even  to  drain  her,  to  the  disadvantage  of  her 
own  immediate  offspring.  They  are  produced  with  the  eyes 
open,  like  all  others  of  the  hare  kind  ;  and  in  about  twelve 
hours,  equal  even  to  the  dam  in  agility.  Although  the  dam  has 
but  two  teats,  yet  fhe  abundantly  fupplies  them  with  milk  ; 
and  they  are  alfo  capable  of  feeding  upon  vegetables,  almoil 
from  the  very  beginning.  If  the  young  ones  are  permitted  to 
continue  together,  the  ftroriger,  as  in  all  other  focieties,  focn  be- 
gins to  govern  the  weak.  Their  contentions  are  often  long  and 
obftinate  j  and  their  jealoulles  very  apparent.  Their  diiputes 
are  ufually  for  the  warmeft  place,  or  the  moil  agreeable  food. 
If  one  of  them  happens  to  be  more  fortunate  in  this  refpedh 
than  the  reft,  the  itrongeft  generally  comes  to  difpofiefs  it 
of  its  advantageous  iituation.  Their  manner  of  fighting, 
though  terrible  to  them,  is  ridiculous  enough  to  a  fpedlator. 
One  of  them  feizes  the  hair  on  the  nape  of  the  other's  neck 
with  its  fore  teeth,  and  attempts  to  tear  it  away  5  the  other 
to  retaliate,  turns  its  hinder  parts  to  the  enemy,  and  kicks  up 
behind  like  a  horfe,  and  with  its  hinder  claws  fcratches  the 
fides  of  its  adverfary;  fo  that  fometimes  they  cover  each  other 
with  blood.  When  they  contend  in  this  manner,  they  gnaih 
their  teeth  pretty  loudly  ;  and  this  is  often  a  denunciation  of 

mutual  refentment. 

« 

Thefe,  though  fo  formidable  to  each  other,  yet  are  the  moft 
timorous  creatures  upon  earth,  with  refpecl  to  the  relt  of 
animated  nature  :  a  falling  kaf  diflurbs  them,  and  every  anU 
mal  overcomes  them.  From  hence  they  are  difficultly  tamed  ; 
and  will  fufFer  none  to  approach  them,  except  the  perfon  by 
whom  they  are  fed.  Their  manner  of  eating  is  fomet' 
like  that  of  the  rabbit ;  and,  like  it,  they  appear  alfo  to  chew 
ic  cud.  Although  they  feldom  drink,  they  make  water  every 
linute.  They  grunt  fomewhat  like  a  young  pig ;  and  have  » 


270  ANIMALS  OF  THE 

more  piercing  note  to  exprefs  pain.  In  a  word,  they  do  no 
injury  ;  but  then,  except  the  pleafure  they  afford  the  fpec- 
tator,  they  are  of  very  little  benefit  to  mankind.  Some,  in- 
deed, drefs  and  eat  them  j  but.  their  fleih  is  in-different  food, 
and  by  no  means  a  reward  for  the  trouble  of  rearing  them. 
This,  perhaps,  might  be  improved,,  by  keeping  them  in  a  pro- 
per warren,  and  not  fuffering  them  to  become  domeftic  :  how- 
ever, the  advantages  that  would  refult  from  this,  would  be 
few,  and  the  .trouble  great ;  fo  that  it  is  likely  they  will  con- 
tinue an  ufelefs,  inoffenfive  dependant,  rather  propagated  ta 
fatisfy  caprice  than  fupply  neceflity. 


CHAP.    XL 

Animals  of  the  Rat  Kind. 

WERE  it  necefiary  to  diftinguifh  animals  of  the  rat  kind 
from  all  others,  we  might  defcribe  them  as  having 
two  large  cutting  teeth,  like  the  hare  kind,  in  each  jaw  ;  as 
covered  with  hair  ;  and  as  not  ruminating.  Thefe  diftm£Hons 
might  ferve  to  guide  us,  had  we  not  too  near  an  acquaintance 
with  this  noxious  race  to  be  miftaken  in  their  kind.  Their 
numbers,  their  minutenefs,  their  vicinity,  their  vail  multipli- 
cation, all  fufHciently  contribute  to  prefs  them  upon  our  ob- 
fervation,  and  remind  us  of  their  exigence.  Indeed,  if  we  look 
through  the  different  ranks  of  animals,  from  the  largeft  to 
the  fmalleft,  from  the  great  elephant  to  the  diminutive  moufe, 
we  fnall  find  that  we  fuffer  greater  injuries  from  the  contemp- 
tible meannefs  of  the  one,  than  the  formidable  invafions  of  the 
other.  Againfl  the  elephant,  the  rhinoceros,  or  the  lion,  we  can 
oppofe  united  ftrength^and,  by  art,  make  up  the  deficiencies  of 
natural  power :  thefe  we  have  driven  into  their  native  foli- 
tudes,  and  obliged  to  continue  at  a  diftance,  in  the  mod  incon- 
venient regions  and  unhealthful  climates.  But  it  is  othcrwife' 
with  the  little  teazingrace  lam  now  defcribing :  no  force  ca;i 


RAT   KIND.  17* 

be  exerted  againft  their  unrefifting  timidity  ;  no  arts  can  dimi- 
nim  their  amazing  propagation  :  millions  may  be  at  once  de- 
itroyed,  and  yet  the  breach  be  repaired  in  the  fpace  of  a  very 
few  weeks  ;  and,  in  proportion  as  nature  has  denied  them 
force,  it  has  fupplied  the  defect  by  their  fecundity. 

Of  thefe,  the  animal  beft  known  at  prefent,  and  in  every  re- 
fpect  the  mod  mifchievous,  is  the  great  rat;  which,  though  but 
a  new  comer  into  this  country,  has  taken  too  fecure  a  poilef- 
fion  to  be  ever  removed.  This  hateful  and  rapacious  cre?ture, 
though  fometimes  called  the  rat  of  Norway,  is  utterly  un- 
known in  all  the  northern  countries,  and,  by  the  beft  accounts 
I  can  learn,  comes  originally  from  the  Levant.  Its  firft  arrival, 
as  I  am  aflured,  was  upon  the  coafts  of  Ireland,  in  thofe  {hips 
that  traded  in  proviiions  to  Gibraltar  ;  and,  perhaps,  we  owe  to 
a  fingle  pair  of  thefe  animals,  the  numerous  progeny  that  now 
infefts  the  whole  extent  of  the  Britim  empire. 

This  animal,  which  is  called  by  mr.  BuiFon  the  furmalot, 
is  in  length  about  nine  inches ;  its  eyes  are  large  and  black  ; 
the  colour  of  the  head,  and  the  whole  upper  part  of  the  body, 
is  of  a  light  brown,  mixed  with  tawny  and  afh  colour.  The 
end  of  the  nofe,  the  throat  and  belly,  are  of  a  dirty  white,  in- 
clining to  a  grey  ;  the  feet  and  legs  are  almoft  bare,  and  of  a 
dirty  pale  fiem-colour  ;  the  tail  is  as  long  as  the  body,  covered 
with  minute  dufky  fcales,  mixed  with  a  few  hairs,  and  adds  to 
the  general  deformity  of  its  deteftable  figure.  It  is  chiefly  in  the 
colour  that  this  animal  differs  from  the  black  rat,  or  the  com- 
mon rat,  as  it  was  once  called  ;  but  now  common  no  longer. 
This  new  invader,  in  a  very  few  years  after  its  arrival,  found 
means  to  deftroy  almoft  the  whole  fpecies,  and  to  poflefs  itfelf 
of  their  retreats. 

But  it  was  not  againft  the  black  rat  alone  that  its  rapacity 
was  directed ;  all  other  animals  of  inferior  ftrength  ihared  the 
feme  misfortunes.  The  conteft  with  the  black  rat  was  of 
ihort  continuance.  As  it  was  unable  to  contend,  and  had  no 
holes  to  fly  to  for  retreat,  but  where  its  voracious  enemy  could 
purfue,  the  whole  race  was  foon  extinguiihed.  The  frog  alfo 


272  ANIMALS   OF   THE 

was  an  animal  equally  incapable  of  combat  or  defence.  It 
had  been  defignedly  introduced  into  the  kingdom  of  Ireland 
fome  years  before  the  Norway  rat ;  and  it  was  feen  to  multiply 
amazingly.  The  inhabitants  were  pleafed  with  the  propagation 
of  aharmlefs  animal,  that  ferved  to  rid  their  fields  of  infeclis  j 
and  even  the  prejudices  of  the  people  were  in  its  favour,  as 
they  fuppofed  that  the  frog  contributed  to  render  their  wa- 
ters more'*  wholefome.  But  the  Norway  rat  foon  put  a  Hop 
to  their  increafe  ;  as  thefe  animals  were  of  an  amphibious 
nature,  they  purfued  the  frog  to  its  lakes,  and  took  it  even 
in  its  own  natural  element.  I  am  threfore  affured,  that  the 
frog  is  once  more  almoft  extinft  in  that  kingdom  ;  and  that 
the  Norway  rat,  having  no  more  enemies  left  there  to  de- 
flroy,  is  grown  lefs  numerous  alfo. 

We  are  not  likely,  therefore,  to  gain  by  the  deftru&ion  of 
our  old  domeflics,  fince  they  are  replaced  by  fuch  mifchiev- 
ous  fucceflbrs.  The  Norway  rat  has  the  fame  difpofition  to 
injure  us,  with  much  greater  power  of  mifchief.  It  burrows 
in  the  banks  of  rivers,  ponds,  and  ditches  j  and  is  every  year 
known  to  do  do  incredible  damage  to  thofe  mounds  that  are 
raifed  to  conduct  ftreams,  or  to  prevent  rivers  from  over- 
flowing. In  thefe  holes,  which  it  forms  pretty  near  the  edge 
of  the  water,  it  chiefly  refides  during  the  fummer,  where  it 
lives  upon  fmall  animals,  fim,  and  corn.  At  the  approach  of 
winter,  it  comes  nearer  the  farm  houfes  ;  burrows  in  their 
corn,  eats  much,  and  damages  ftill  more  than  it  confumes. 
But  nothing  that  can  be  eaten,  feems  to  efcape  its  voracity. 
It  deftroys  rabbits,  poultry,  and  all  kinds  of  game  j  and,  like 
the  polecat,  kills  much  more  than  it  can  carry  away.  It  fwims 
with  great  eafe,  d^ves  with  great  celerity,  and  eafily  thins 
the  fifh  pond.  In  fhort,  fcarce  any  of  the  feebler  animals  ef- 
cape its  rapacity,  except  the  moufe,  which  flickers  itfelf  in 
its  little  hole,  where  the  Norway  rat  is  too  big  to  follow. 

Thefe  animals  frequently  produce  from  fifteen  to  thirty  at 
a  time;*  and  ufually  bring  forth  three  times  a  year.  This 

*  Button,  vol.  xvii.  p.  a. 


RAT  KIND,  273 

great,  increafe  would  quickly  be  found  to  over-run  the  whole 
country,  and  render  our  afliduity  to  deftroy  them  fruitlefs, 
were  it  not,  happily  for  us,  that  they  eat  and  deftroy  each 
other.  The  fame  infatiable  appetite  that  impels  them  to  in- 
difcriminate  carnage,  alfo  incites  the  ftrongeft  to  devour  the 
weakeft,  even  of  their  own  kind.  The  large  male  rat  gene- 
rally keeps  in  a  hole  by  itfelf,  and  is  as  dreaded  by  its  own 
fpecies,  as  the  moft  formidable  enemies.  In  this  manner,  the 
number  of  thefe  vermin  is  kept  within  due  bounds  ;  and 
when  their  increafe  becomes  injurious  to  us,  it  is  reprefle'd  by 
their  own  rapacity. 

But  betide  their  own  enmities  among  each  other,  all  the 
flronger  carnivorous  quadrupeds  have  natural  antipathies 
againft  them.  The  dog,  though  he  de'tefts  their  flefli,  yet  open- 
ly declares  his  alacrity  to  purfue  them ;  and  attacks  them  with 
great  ariimofity.  Such  as  are  trained  up  to  killing  thefe  ver- 
min, difpatch  them  often  with  a  tingle  fqueeze  :  but  thofe 
dogs  that  mow  any  hefitation,  are  fure  to  come  off  but  in- 
differently ;  for  the  rat  always  takes  the  advantage  of  a  mo- 
ment's delay,  and,  inftead  of  waiting  for  the  attack,  becomes 
the  aggreflbr,  feizing  its  purfuer  by  the  lip,  and  inflicting  a 
a  very  painful  and  dangerous  wound.  From  the  inflammation, 
and  other  angry  fymptoms  that  attend  this  animal's  bite, 
fome  have  been  led  to  think  that  it  was  in  fome  rrieafure  vene- 
mous ;  but  it  is  likely  that  the  difficulty  .of  the  wound's  heal- 
ing, arifes  merely  from  its  being  deep  and  lacerated  bv  the 
teeth,  and  is  rather  a  confequence  of  the  figure  of  the  inftru- 
ments  that  inflict  it,  than  any  venom  they  may  be  fuppofed  to 
polTefs. 

The  cat  is  another  formidable  enemy  of  this  kind  ;  and 
yet  the  generality  of  our  eats  neither  care  to  attack  it,  nor  to 
feed  upon  it  when  killed.  The  cat  is  a  more  prudent  hunter 
than  the  dog,  and  v.  ill  not  be  at  the  pains  to  take  or  combat 
with  an  enemy  that  is  not  likely  to  repay  her  time  and  danger. 
Some  cats,  however,  will  purfue  and  take  the  rat ;  though 
often  not  without  an  obftinate  retiftance.  If  hungry  alfo,  ths 

VOL.  II.  2  M 


274       .  ANIMALS  OF  THE 

cat  will  fometimes  eat  the  head  j  but  in  general,  fhe  is  merely 
content  with  her  victory. 

A  foe  much  more  dangerous  to  thefe  vermin  is  the  weafel. 
This  animal  purfues  them  with  avidity  ;  and  being  pretty 
nearly  of  their  own  fize,  follows  them  into  their  holes,  where 
a  defperate  combat  enfues.  The  ftrength  of  each  is  pretty  near 
equal ;  but  the  arms  are  very  different.  The  rat,  furnifhed  with 
four  long  tufks  at  the  extremity  of  its  jaw,  rather  fnaps  than 
bites  j  but  the  weafel,  where  it  once  faftens,  holds,  and  con- 
tinuing alfo  to  fuck  the  blood  at  the  fame  time,  weakens  its 
antagonift,  and  always  obtains  the  victory.  Mankind  have 
contrived  feveral  other  methods  of  deflroying  thefe  noxious 
intruders  ;  ferrets,  traps,  and  particularly  poifon  :  but  of  all 
other  poifons,  I  am  told  that  the  nux  vomica,  ground  and  mix- 
ed with  meal,  is  the  moft  certain,  as  it  is  the  lead  dangerous. 

To  this  fpecies  I  will  fubjoin  as  a  variety,  the  black  rat, 
mentioned  above,  greatly  refembling  the  former  in  figure, 
but  very  diftin£fc  in  nature,  as  appears,  from  their  mutual  an- 
tipathy. This  animal  was  formerly  as  mifchievous  as  it  was 
common  ;  but  at  prefent  it  is  almoft  utterly  extirpated  by  the 
great  rat,  one  malady  often  expelling  another.  It  is  become 
fo  fcarce,  that  I  do  not  remember  ever  to  have  feen  one.  It 
is  faid  to  be  poflefled  of  all  the  voracious  and  unnatural  ap- 
petites of  the  former  ;  though,  as  it  is  lefs,  they  may  proba- 
bly be  lefs  noxious.  Its  length  is  about  feven  inches  ;  and  the 
tail  is  near  eight  inches  long.  The  colour  of  the  body  is  of  a 
deep  iron  grey,  bordering  upon  black,  except  the  belly,  which 
is  of  a  dirty  cinereous  hue.  .They  have  propagated  in  Ameri- 
ca in  great  numbers,  being  originally  introduced  from  Europe  ; 
and  as  they  feem  to  keep  their  ground  wherever  they  get  foot- 
ing, they  are  now  become  the  mod  noxious  animals  in  that 
part  of  the  world. 

To  this  alfo,  we  may  fubjoin  the  black  water  rat,  about  the 
fame  fize  with  the  latter,  with  a  larger  head,  a  blunter  note, 
lefs  eyes,  and  fhorter  ears,  and  the  tip  of  its  tail  a  little  white. 
It  was  fuppofed  by  Ray  to  be  web-footed  ;  but  this  has  been 


RAT   KIND.  775 

found  to  be  a  miftake,  its  toes  pretty  much  rcfembling  thofe 
of  its  kind.  It  never  frequents  houfes  ;  but  it  is  ufually  found 
on  the  banks  of  rivers,  ditches  and  ponds,  where  it  burrows 
and  breeds.  It  feeds  on  filh,  frogs,  and  infects  •,  and  in  fome 
countries,  it  is  ate  on  falling  days. 


THE    MOUSE. 

AN  animal  equally  mifchievous,  and  equally , well  known 
with  the  former,  is  the  moufe.  Timid,  cautious  and  a£tive, 
all  its  difpofitions  are  fimilar  to  thoie  of  the  rat,  except  with 
fewer  powers  of  doing  mifchief  *.  Fearful  by  nature,  but  fa- 
miliar from  neceffity,  it  attends  upon  mankind,  and  comes  an 
unbidden  gueft  to  his  moft  delicate  entertainments.  Fear  and 
neceflicy  feem  to  regulate  all  its  motions  j-it  never  leaves  its 
hole  but  to  feek  provifion,  and  feldom  ventures  above  a  few 
paces  from  home.  Different  from  the^rat,  it  does  not  go  from 
one  houfe  to  another,  unlefs  it  be  forced  ;  and,  as  it  .is  more 
eafily  fatisfied,  it  does  much  lefs  mifchief, 

Almoft  all  animals  are  tamed  more  difficultly  in  propor- 
tion to  the  cowardice  of  their  natures.  The  truly  bold  and 
courageous  eafily  become  familiar,  but  thofe  that  are  always- 
fearful  are  ever  fufpicious.  The  moufe  being  the  mod  feeble, 
and  confequently  the  moft  timid  of  all  quadrupeds,  except  the 
Guinea-pig,  is  never  rendered  thoroughly  familiar  ;  and,  even 
though  fed  in  a  cage,  retains  its  natural  apprehenfions.  In  facl:, 
it  is  to  thefe  alone  that  it  owes  its  fecurityf.  No  animalhas 
more  enemies,  and  few  fo  incapable  of  refiftance.  The  owl, 
the  cat,  the  fnake,  the  hawk,  the  weafel,  and  the  rat  it* 
felf,  deftroy  this  fpecies  by  millions,  and  it  only  fubfifts  by  it* 
amazing  fecundity. 

The  moufe  brings  forth  r.t  all  feafons,  and  feveral  times  in 
a.year.  Its  ufual  number  is  from  fix  to  ten.  Thefe,  in  lefs  than. 

*  BufFon,  vol.  TV.  p.  145. 

f-  £  voiucribus  birundincs  funt  indocile*,  e  terreftibua  mures. 


270  ANIMALS  OF  THE 

a  fortnight,  are  ftrong  enough  to  run  about  and  fliift  for  them- 
felves.  They  are  chiefly  found  in  farmers'  yards  and  among 
their  corn,  but  are  feldom  in  thofe  ricks  that  are  much  infefted 
with  rats.  They  generally  choofc  the  fouth-weft  fide  of  the 
rick,  from  whence  moft  rain  is  expected. ;  and  from  then,ce 
they  often,  of  an  evening,  venture  forth  to  drink  the  little 
drops  either  of  rain  or  dew  that  hang  at  the  extremities  of 
the  ftr-aw*.  Ariftofcle  gives  us  an  idea  of  their  prodigious  fe-* 
cundity,  by  afluring  us,  that,  having  put  a  moufe  with  young 
into  a  vefTel  of  corn,  in  fome  time  after,  he  found  a  hundred 
and  twenty  mice,  all  fprung  from  one  original.  The  early 
growth  of  this  animal  implies  alfo  the  fhort  duration  of  its 
life,  which  feldom  lafts  above  two  or  three  years.  This  fpe- 
cie.s  is  very  much  diffufed,  being  found  in  almoft  all  parts  of 
the  ancient  continent,  and  having  been  exported  to  the  newf. 
They  are  animals  that,  while  they  fear  human  fpciety*  clofely 
attend  it ;  and,  although  enemies  to  man,  are  never  found, 
but  near  thofe  places  where  he  has  fixed  his  habitation.  Num- 
berlefs  ways  have  been  found  for  destroying  them  ;  and  Gef- 
ncr  has  minutely  defcribed  the  variety  of  traps  by  which  they 
are  taken.  Qur  fociety  for  the  encouragement  of  arts  and 
manufactures  propofed  a  reward  for  the  moft  ingenious  con- 
trivance for  that  purpofe  ;  and  I  obferved  almoft  every  can- 
didate pafiing  off  defcriptions  as  inventions  of  his  own.  I 
thought  it  was  cruel  to  detect  the  plagiarifm,  or  fruftrate  the 
humble  ambition  of  thofe  who  would  be  thought  the  inven- 
tors of  a  moufe-trap. 

To  this  fpecies,  merely  to  avoid  teazing  the  reader  with  a 
minute  defcription  of  animals  very  inconfiderable  and  very 
nearly  alike,  I  will  add  that  of  the  long-tailed  field  moufey 
which  is  larger  than  the  former,  of  a  colour  very  nearly  refem- 
bling  the  Norway  rat,  and  chiefly  found  in  fields  and  gardens. 
They  are  extremely  voracious,  and  hurtful  in  gardens  and 
young  nurferies,  where  they  are  killed  in  great  numbers.  How- 
ever, their  fecundity  quickly  repairs  the  deftruction. 

*  Buffon,  vol.  xv.  p.  147.  f  Lifie's  Hufbandry,  vol.  ii.  p.  391. 


RAT   KIND,  277 

Nearly  refembling  the  former,  but  larger,  (for  it  is  fix  in- 
ches long)  is  the  Jhort-tailcd  field  moufe ;  which,  as  its  name 
implies,  has  the  tail  much  fhortcr  than  the  former,  it  being 
not  above  an  inch  and  a  half  long,  and  ending  in  a  firuH  tuft. 
Its  colour  is  more  inclining  to  that  of  the  domeftic  moufe, 
the  upper  part  being  bhckiih,  and  the  under  of  an  afh-co- 
lour,  This,  as  well  as  the  former,  are  remarkable  for  laying 
up  provilion  againft  winter  ;  and  mr.  Buffon  ailures  us  they 
fpmetimes  have  a  {lore  of  above  a  bufhel  at  a  time, 

We  may  add  alfo  tiizjhreiu  moufe  to  this  fpecies  of  minute 
animals,  being  about  the  fize  of  the  domeftic  moufe,  but  dif- 
fering greatly  from  it  in  the  form  of  its  nofe,  which  is  very 
long  and  fiender.  The  teeth  alfo  are  of  a  very  fmgular  form, 
and  twenty  eight  in  number  ;  whereas,  the  comnaon  number 
in  the  rat  kind,  is  ufually  not  above  fixteen.  The  two  upper 
fore-teeth  are  very  (harp,  and  on  each  fide  of  them  there  is  a 
kind  of  wing  or  beard,  like  that  of  an  arrow,  fcarce  vifiblc 
but  on  a  clofe  infpe&ion.  The  other  teeth  are  placed  clofe 
together,  being  very  fmall,  and  feeming  fcarce-  feparated ;  fo 
that,  with  rcfpe£t  to  this  part  of  its  formation,  the  animal  has 
fome  refemblance  to  the  viper.  However,  it  is  a  very  harm- 
lefs  little  creature,  doing  fcarce  any  injury.  On  the  contrary, 
as  it  lives  chiefly  in  the  fields,  and  feeds  more  upon,  infecls 
than  corn,  it  may  be  confidered  rather  as  a  friend  than  an  ene- 
my. It  has  a  ftrong,  difagreeable  fmell,  fo  that  the  cat,  \vhen 
it  is  killed,  will  refufe  to  eat  it.  It  is  faid  to  bring  four  or 
five  young  at  a  time.. 


THE    DORMOUSE. 

THESE  animals  may  be  diftinguifhed  into  three  kinds » 
the  greater  dormoufey  which  mr.  Buffon  calls  the  loir  ;  the 
middle,  which  he  calls,  the  lerot  ;  the  lefs.,  which  he  denomi-. 
nates  the  mufcardin..  They  differ  from  each  other  in  fize,  the 
largeft  being  equal  to  a  rat,  the  leaft  being  no  bigger  than  ^ 


278  ANIMALS  OF  THE 

moufe.  They  all  differ  from  the  rat  in  having  the  tail  tufted 
with  hair,  in  the  manner  of  a  fquirrel,  except  that  the  fquir- 
rel's  tail  is  flat,  refembling  a  fan  ;  and  theirs  round,  refem- 
bling  a  brufh.  The  lerot  differs  from  the  loir  by  having  two 
black  fpots  near  the  eyes  ;  the  mufcardin  differs  from  both 
in  the  whitifh  colour  of  its  hair  on  the  back.  They  ail  three 
agree  in  having  black  fparkling  eyes,  and  the  whiikers  partly 
white  and  partly  black.  They  agree  in  their  being  ftupefied 
like  the  marmout  during  the  winter,  and  in  their  hoarding 
up  provifions  to  ferve  them  in  cafe  of  a  temporary  revival. 

They  inhabit  woods  or  very  thick  hedges,  forming  their 
nefts  in  the  hollow  of  fome  tree,  or  near  the  bottom  of  a  clofe 
fhrub,  humbly  content  with  continuing  at  the  bottom,  and 
never  afpiring  to  fport  among  the  branches.  Towards  the  ap- 
proach of  the  cold  feafon,  they  form  a  little  magazine  of  nuts, 
beans,  or  acorns  ;  and,  having  laid  in  their  hoard,  fhut  them- 
felves  up  with  it  in  the  winter.  As  foon  as  they  fed  the  firft 
advances  of  the  cold,  they  prepare  to  leffen  its  efFe&j  by  rol- 
ling themfelves  up  in  a  ball,  and  thus  expofing  the  fmalleft 
furface  to  the  weather.  But  it  often  happens  that  the  warmth 
of  a  funny  day,  or  an  accidental  change  from  cold  to  heat, 
thaws  their  nearly-ftagnant  fluids,  and  they  revive.  On  fuch 
occafions,  they  have  their  provifions  laid  in,  and  they  have 
not  far  to  feek  for  their  fupport.  In  this  manner  they  conti- 
nue ufually  afleep,  but  fometimes  waking,  for  above  five 
months  in  the  year,  feldom  venturing  from  their  retreats,  and 
ccnfequently  but  rarely  feen.  Their  nefts  are  lined  with  mofs^ 
grafs,  and  dead  leaves  ;  they  ufually  bring  forth  three  or  four 
young  at  a  time,  and  that  but  once  a  year,  in  the  fpring. 


THE    MUSK    RAT. 

OF  thefe  animals  of  the  rat  kind,  but  with  a  mufky  fmell^ 
there  are  alfo  three  di  ft  i  lift  ions,  as  of  the  former ;  the  onda- 
tra, the  defman,  and  the  pilori.  The  ondatra  is  a  native  of  Ca- 
nada,, the  defman  of  Lapland,  and  the  pilori  of  the  WeiU 


HAT  KIND.  27* 

India  iflands.  The  ondatra  differs  from  all  others  of  its  kind, 
in  having  the  tail  flatted  and  carried  edgeways.  The  defman 
has  a  long  extended  fnout  like  the  fhrew  moufe ;  and  the  pi- 
lori  a  fhort  tail,  as  thick  at  one  end  as  the  other.  They  all  re- 
femble  each  other  in  being  fond  of  the  water,,  but  particularly 
in  that  muiky  odour  from  whence  they  have  taken  their  name. 

Of  thefe,  the  ondatra  is  the  moft  remarkable,  and  has  been 
the  mod  minutely  defcribed*.  This  animal  is  about  the  fize 
of  a  fmall  rabbit,  but  has  the  hair,  the  colour  and  the  tail 
of  a  rat,  except  that  it  is  flatted  on  the  fides,  as  mentioned 
above.  But  it  is  ftill  more  extraordinary  upon  other  accounts, 
and  different  from  all  other  animals  whatever.  It  is  fo  formed 
that  it  can  contract  and  enlarge  its  body  at  pleafure.  It  has 
a  mufcle  like  that  of  horfes,  by  which  they  move,  their  hides 
lying  immediately  under  the  Ikin,  and  that  furnifhed  with 
fuch  a  power  of  contraction,  together  with  fuch  an  elafticity 
in  the  falfe  ribs,  that  this  animal  can  creep  into  a  hole,  where 
others,  feemingly  much  lefs,  cannot  follow.  The  female  is 
remarkable  alfo  for  two  diftindt  apertures,  one  for  urine,  the 
other  for  propagation.  The  male  is  equally  obfervable  for  a 
peculiarity  of  conformation  j  the  mufky  fmell  is  much  ftrong- 
er  at  one  particular  feafon  of  the  year  than  any  other  ;  and 
the  marks  of  the  fex  feem  to  appear  and  difappear  in  the  fame 
manner. 

The  ondatra,  in  fome  meafure,  refembles  the  beaver  in  its 
nature  and  difpofition.  They  both  live  in  fociety  during  win- 
ter ;  they  both  form  houfes  of  two  feet  and  a  half  wide,  in 
which  they  refide  feveral  families  together.  In  thefe  they  do 
not  aflemble  to  fleep  as  the  marmout,  but  purely  to  flicker 
themfelves  from  the  rigour  of  the  feafon.  However,  they  do 
not  lay  up  magazines  of  provifion  like  the  beaver  ;  they  only- 
form  a  kind  of  covert-way  to  and  round  their  dwelling,  from 
whence  they  iflue  to  procure  water  and  roots,  upon  which 
they  fubfift.  During  winter,  their  houfes  are  covered  under  a 
depth  of  eight  or  ten  feet  of  fnow  ;  fo  that  they  muft  lead 

*  BufFon,  vol.  xx,  p.  4. 


ANIMALS  OF  THE 

but  a  cold,  gloomy  and  a  neceflitous   life  during  its  continu- 
ance. During  fummer,  they  feparate  two  by  two,  and  feed  upon 
the  variety  of  roots  and  vegetables  that  the  feafon  offers.  They 
then  become  extremely  fat,  and  are  much  fought  after,  as  well 
for  their  flefh  as  their  fkins,  which  are  very  valuable*  They 
then  alfo  acquire  a  very  ftrong  fcent  of  mufk,  fo  pleafmg  to 
an  European,  but  which  the  favages  of  Canada  cannot  abide. 
What  we  admire  as  a  perfume,  they  confider  as  a  moil  abomi- 
nable flench,  and  call  one  of  their  rivets,  on   the  banks  of 
which  this  animal  is  feen   to  burrow  in  numbers,  by  the  name 
of  the  ftinking  river,  as  well  as  the  rat  itfelf,  which  is  denomi- 
nated by  them  the  ftinkard.    This  is  a  ftrange  diverfity  among 
mankind  ;  and,  perhaps,  may  be  afcribed  to  the  different  kinds 
of  food  among  different  nations.    Such  as  chiefly  feed  upon 
rancid  oils,  and  putrid  flefh,  will  often  miflake  the  nature  of 
{cents;  and,  having  been  long  ufed  to  ill  fmells,  will,  by  habit, 
confider  them  as  perfumes.  Be  this  as  it  will,  although  thefc 
nations  of  northern  favages  confider  the  mufk-rat  as  intolera- 
bly foetid,  they,  nevertheless,    regard  it  as  very  good  eating  ; 
and,  indeed,  in  this  they  imitate  the  epicures  of  Europe  very 
exactly,  whofe  tafle  feldom  relifhes  a  difti  till  the  nofe  gives 
the  ftrongeft  marks  of  difapprobation.  As  to  the  reft,  this  ani- 
mal a  good  deal  refembles  the  beaver  in  its  habits  and  difpo- 
fition  •,  but,  as  its  inflin£ls  are  lefs  powerful,  and  its  economy 
lefs  exac~l,  I  will  referve  for  the  defcription  of  that  animal,  % 
part  of  what  may  be  applicable  to  this* 


THE     CRICETUS, 

THE  cricetus,  or  German  rat,  which  mr.  Buffbn  calls  the 
hamfler,  greatly  refembles  the  water-rat  in  its  fize,  fmall  eyes 
and  the  fhortnefs  of  its  tail.  It  differs  in  colour,  being  rather 
browner,  like  the  Norway  rat,  with  the  belly  and  legs  of  a 
dirty  yellow.  But  the  marks  by  which  it  may  be  diflinguifhed, 
from  all  others,  are  two  pouches,  like  thofe  of  a  baboon,  on 
each  fide  of  its  jaw,  under  the  'fkin,  into  which  it  can  cram  a 


RAT  KIND.  28x 

quantity  of  provifion.  Thefebags  are  oblong,  and  of  the 
iize,  when  filled,  of  a  large  walnut.  They  open  into  the  mouth 
and  fall  back  along  the  neck  to  the  moulder.  Into  thefe  the 
animal  can  thruft  the  furplus  of  thofc  fruits  or  grains  it  ga- 
thers in  the  fields,  fuch  as  wheat,  peas,  or  acorns.  When  the 
immediate  calls  of  hunger  are  fatisfied,  it  then  falls  to  filling 
thefe  ;  and  thus,  loaded  with  two  great  bunches  on  each  fide 
of  the  jaw,  it  returns  home  to  its  hole  to  depofit  the  fpoil  as  a 
flore  for  the  winter.  The  fize,  the  fecundity,  and  the  vora- 
cioufnefs  of  this  animal,  render  it  one  of  the  greateft  pefts  in 
the  countries  where  it  is  found,  and  every  method  is  made  uie 
of  to  deftroy  it. 

But,  although  this  animal  is  very  noxious  with  rcfpecl:  to 
man,  yet,  confidered  with  regard  to  thofe  inftincts  which 
conduce  to  its  own  fupport  and  convenience,  it  deferves  our 
admiration*.  Its  hole  offers  a  very  curious  object. for  contem- 
plation, and  (hows  a  degree  of  fkill  fuperior  to  the  reft  of  the 
rat  kind.  It  confifts  of  a  variety  of  apartments,  fitted  up  for  the 
different  occafions  of  the  little  inhabitant.  It  is  generally  made 
on  an  inclining  ground,  and  always  has  two  entrances,  one 
perpendicular  and  the  other,  oblique  ;  though,  if  there  be  more 
than  one  in  a  family,  there  are  as  many  perpendicular  holes  as 
there  are  individuals  below.  The  perpendicular  hole  is  ufually 
that  through  which  they  go  in  and  out :  the  oblique  ferves  to 
give  a  thorough  air,  to.  keep  the  rc,treat  clean,  and,  in  cafe 
one  hole  is  flopped,  to  give  an  exit  at  this.  "Within  about  a 
foot  of  the  perpendicular  hole,  the  animal  makes  two  more, 
where  are  depofitecl  the  family's  provificns.  Thefe  are  much 
more  fpacious  than  the  former,  and  are  large  in  proportion  to 
the  quantity  of  the  ftore.  Befide  thefe,  there  is  ftill  another 
apartment  warmly  lined  with  grafs  and  flraw,  where  the  fe- 
male brings  forth  her  young ;  all  thefe  communicate  with 
each  other,  and  all  together  take  up  a  fpace  of  ten  or  twelve 
feet  in  diameter.  Thefe  animals  furnifh  their- ftore-houfes 
with  dry  corn  well  cleaned  5  they  alfo  lay  in  corn  in  the  ear. 

11  BuiTon,  vol.xxvi.  p.  159. 

YOL.  II.  2  N 


-3^  ANIMALS   OF  THE 

find  beans  and  $eas  in  the  pod'.  Thefe,  when  occafion  requires  j 
they  afterwards  feparate,  carrying  out  the  pods  and  empty  ears 
by  their  oblique  pafTage.  They  ufually  begin  to  lay  in  at  the 
latter  end  of  Auguft  ;  and,  as  each  magazine  is  filled,  they 
carefully  cover  up  the  mouth  with  earth,  and  that^  fo  neatly, 
that  it  is  no  eafy  rriatter  to  difcover  where  the  earth  has  been 
removed.  The  only  means  of  finding  out  their  retreats  are, 
therefore,  to  obferve  the  oblique  entrance,  which  generally  has 
a  fmall  quantity  of  earth  before  it ;  and  this,  though  often 
feveral  yards  from  their  perpendicular  retreat,  leads  thofe  who 
are  (killed  in  the  fearch,  to  make  the  difcovery.  Many  German 
peafants  are  known  to  make  a  livelihood  by  finding  out  and 
bringing  off  their  hoards,  which,  in  a  fruitful  feafon,  often 
furnifh  two  bufhels  of  good  grain  in  each  apartment. 

Like  mofl  others  of  the  rat  kind,  they  produce  twice  or 
thrice  a  year,  and  bring  five  or  fix  at  a  time.  Some  years  they 
appear  in  alarming  numbers,  at  other  times  they  are  not  fo 
plenty.  The  moift  feafons  affift  their  propagation ;  and  it  often 
happens,  on  fuch  years,  that  their  dcvailations  produce  a  famine 
all  over  the  country.  Happily,  however,  for  mankind,  thefe, 
like  the  reft  of  their  kind,  cieftroy  each  other;  and  of  two  that 
mr.  Buffon  kept  in  a  cage,  male  and  female,  the  latter  killed  and 
devoured  the  former.  As  to  the  reft,  their  fur  isconfideredasvery 
valuable  ;  the  natives  arc  invited  by  rewards  to  deftroy  them  ; 
and  the  weafel  kind  feconds  the  wifhes  of  government  with 
great  fuccefs.  Although  they  are  ufually  found  brown  on  the 
back  and  white  on  the  belly,  yet,  many  of  them  are  obferved 
to  be  grey,  which  may  probably  arife  from  the  difference  of 


THE     L  E  M  I  N  G. 

HAVING  confiuercd  various  kinds  of  thefe  noxious  little 

.rals  that  elude  the  indignation  of  mankind,  and  fubfift  by 

their  number,  not  their  ftrcngth,  we  corn:  tD  a  fpccics  more 


RAT  .KIND. 

bold,  mere  dangerous,  and  more  numerous  than  any  of  the 
former.  The  leming,  which  is  a  native  of  Scandinavia,  is  often 
feen  to  pour  down  in  myriads  from  the  northern  mountains, 
and,  like  a  peftilence,  deftroy  nil  the  productions  of  the  earth. 
It  is  defcribed  as  being  larger  than  a  dormoufe,  with  a  bufhy 
tail,  thcup-h  fhorter.  It  is  covered  with  thin  hair,  of  various 
colours.  The  extremity  of  the  upper  part  of  the  head  is  black, 
as  are  like\vife  the  neck  and  (houlders,  but  the  reft  of  the 
body  is  reddifh,  intermixed  with  fmall  black  fpots  of  various 
figures,  as  far  as  the  tail,  which  is  not  above  half  an  inch  long. 
The  eyes  are  little  and  black,  the  ears  round,  and  inclining  to- 
wards the  back ;  the  legs  before  are  fhort,  and  thofe  behind 
longer,  which  gives  it  a  great  degree  of  fwiftnefs.  But  wh?t 
it  is  much  more  remarkable  for  than  its  figure,  are,  its  amaz- 
ing fecundity  and  extraordinary  migrations^ 

In  wet  feafons,  all  of  the  rat  kind  are  known  to  propagate 
more  than  in  dry ;  but  this  fpecies,  in  particular,  is  fo  affif- 
ted  in  multiplying  by  the  moitlure  of  the  weather,  that  the 
inhabitants  of  Lapland  fincerely  believe  that  they  drop  from 
the  clouds,  and  that  the  fame  magazines  that  furnifh  hail  and 
fnow,  pour  the  leming  alfo  upon  them.  In  fact,  after  long 
rain,  thefe  animals  fet  forward  from  their  native  mountains, 
and  feveral  millions  in  a  troop  deluge  the  \vhoie  pL*:i 
with  their  numbers.*  They  move,  for  the  mod  part,  in  a 
fquare,  marching  forward  by  night  and  lying  (till  by  day. 
Thus,  like  an  animated  torrent,  they  are  often  feen  more  than 
a  mile  broad  covering  the  ground,  and  that  fo  thick,  that  the 
hindmoft  touches  its  leader.  It  is  in  vain  that  the  poor  inha- 
bitant refifts  or  attempts  to  flop  their  progrefs,  they  ftill  keep 
moving  forward ;  and,  though  thoufands  are  dcftroyed,  myri- 
ads are  feen  to  fucceed,  and  make  their  definition  impractica- 
ble. They  generally  move  in  lines,  which  are  about  three  feet 
from  each  other,  and  exactly  parallel.  Their  march  is  always 
directed  from  the  north-weft  to  the  fouth-eaft,  and  regukirljr 
.conducted  from  the  beginning.  Vvrherever  their  motions  are 

'hil.  Tranf.  vol.  ii.p.  £• 


2S4  ANIMALS    OF   THE 

turned,  nothing  can  flop  them  ;  they  go  dire£lly  forward  im- 
pelled by  fome  flrange  power  -,  and,  from  the  time  they  firft 
let  out,  they  never  once  think  of  retreating.    If  a  lake  or   a 
river  happens  to   interrupt  their  progrefs,  they  all  together 
take  the  water  and  fwim  over  it  •,  a  fire,  a  deep  well,  or  a  tor- 
rent, does  not  turn  them  out  of  their  ftraight-lined  direction  j 
they  boldly  plunge  into  the  flames,  or  leap  down  the  well,  and 
are  fometimes  feen  climbing  up  on  the  other  fide.  If  they  are 
interrupted  by  a  boat  acrofs  a  river  while  they  are  fwimming, 
they  never  attempt  to   fwim  round  it,  but  mount  direclly  up 
its  fides,  and  the  boat-men,  who  know  how  vain 're fi fiance  in 
fuch  a  cafe  would  be,  calmly  fuffer  the  living  torrent  topafs  over, 
which  it  does  without  further  damage.  If  they  meet  with  aflack 
of  hay,  or  corn,  that  interrupts  their  paflage,  inflead  of  going 
over  it,  they  gnaw  their  way  through;  if  they  are  flopped  by  a 
houfe  in  their  courfe,  if  they  cannot  go  thro'  it,  they  continue 
'there  till  they  die.  It  is  happy,  however,  for  mankind,  that  they  eat 
nothing  that  is  prepared  for  human  fubfiftence ;  they  never  enter 
a  houfe  to  deflroy  the  provifions,  but  are  contented  with  eating 
every  root  and  vegetable  that  they  meet.  If  they  happen  to  pafs 
through  a  meadow,  they  deflroy  it  in  a  very  fhtirt  time,  and 
give  it  an  apppearance  of  being  burnt  up  and  ftrewed  with 
afhes.  If  they  are  interrupted  in  their  courfe,  and  a  man  mould 
imprudently  venture  to  attack  one  of  them,  the  little  animal 
is  no  way  intimidated  by  the  difparity  of  flrength,  but  furi- 
oufly   flies  up  at  its  opponent,  arid,  barking  fomewhat  like  a 
a,  puppy,  wherever  it  fattens,  does  not  eafily  quit  the  hold.  If, 
at  lail,  the  leader  be  forced  out  of  its  line,  which  it  defends  as 
long  as  it  can,  and  be  fcparted  from  the  reft  of  its  kind,  it  fets 
up  a  plaintive  cry,  different  from  that  of  anger,  and,   as  fome 
pretend  to  fay,  gives  itfelf  a  voluntary  death  by  hanging  itfelf 
on  the  fork  of  a  tree. 

An  enemy  fo  numerous  and  definitive,  would  quickly  ren- 
der the  countries  where  they  appear,  utterly  uninhabitable,  did 
it  not  fortunately  happen  that  the  fame  rapacity  that  animates 
them  to  deflroy  the  labours  of  mankind,  at  laft  impels  them  to 


RAT  KIND.  285- 

Devour  each  other.'*  After  committing  incredible  devaftations, 
"they  are  at  laft  feen  to  feparate  into  two  armies,  oppofed  with 
deadly  hatted,  along  the  coaft  of  the  larger  lakes  and  rivers. 
The  Laplanders,  who  obferve  them  thus  drawn  up  to  fight, 
inftead  of  considering  ther  mutual  animofities  as  a  happy 
riddance  of  the  moft  dreadful  pefl,  form  ominous  prognoftics 
from  the  manner  of  their  arrangement.  They  confider  their 
combats  as  a  prefage  of  war,  and  expect  an  invafion  from  the 
Ruffians  or  the  Swedes,  as  the  {ides  next  thofe  kingdoms  hap- 
pen to  conquer.  The  two  divifions,  however,  continue  their 
engagements  and  animofity  until  one  party  overcomes  the  other. 
From  that  time,  they  utterly  difappear,  nor  is  it  well  known 
what  becomes  of  either  the  conquerors  or  the  conquered. 
Some  fuppofe  that  they  rum  headlong  into  the  fea,  others  that 
they  kill  themfelves,  as  fome  are  found  hanging  on  the  forked 
branches  of  a  tree,  and  others  ftill  that  they  are  deftroyed  by 
the  young  fpring  herbage.  But  the  moft  probable  opinion  is, 
that,  having  devoured  the  vegetable  productions  of  the  country, 
and  having  nothing  more  to  fubfift  on,  they  then  fall  to  de- 
vouring each  other  ;  and,  having  habituated  themfelves  to  that 
kind  of  food,  continue  it.  However  this  be,  they  are  often 
found  dead  by  thoufands,  and  their  carcafTes  have  been  known 
to  infect  the  air  for  feveral  miles  round,  fo  as  to  produce  very 
malignant  diforders.  They  feem  alfo  to  infect  the  plants  they 
have  gnawed,  for  the  cattle  often  die  that  afterwards  feed  in 
the  places  where  they  pafTed. 

As  to  the  reft,  the  male  is  larger  and  more  beautifully  fpot- 
ted  than  the  female.  They  are  extremely  prolific  ;  and  what  is 
extraordinary,  their  breeding  does  not  hinder  their  march  ;  for 
fome  of  them  have  been  obferved  to  carry  one  young  one  in 
their  mouth  and  another  on'their  back.  They  are  greatly  prey- 
ed upon  by  the  ermine,  and,  as  we  are  told,  even  by  the  rein- 
deer. The  Swedes  and  Norwegians,  who  live  by  hufbandry, 
conlider  an  invafion  from  thefe  vermine  as  a  terrible  vifitation  •, 
feut  it  is  very  different  with  refpect  to  the  Laplanders,  wh* 

*>Diclionnairc  Raifonnee,  TO!,  ii.  p.  610. 


2,86  ANIMALS  OF  THE 

lead  a  vagrant  life,  and  who,  like  the  lemings  themfelves,  if 
their  provifions  be  deilroyed  in  one  part  of  the  country,  can 
eafily  retire  to  another.  Thefe  are  never  fo  happy  as  when  an 
army  of  lemings  come  down  among  them  :  for  then  they  feajfl 
upon  their  flem;  which,  chough  horrid  food,  and  which,  though 
even  dogs  and  cats  are  known  to  deteft,  thefe  little  favages  ef- 
teem  very  good  eating,  and  devour  greedily.  They  are  glad  of 
their  arrival  alfo  upon  another  account,  for  they  always  expect 
a  great  plenty  of  game  the  year  following,  among  thofe  fields 
which  the  lemings  have  dcftroyed. 


T  H  E     M  OLE. 

TO  thefe  minute  animals  of  the  rat  kind,  a  great  part  of 
whofe  lives  is  parTed  in  holes  under  ground,  I  will  fubjoin  one 
little  animal  more,  no  way  refembling  the  rat,  except  that  its 
whole  life  is  fpent  there.  As  we  have  feen  fome  quadrupeds 
formed  to  crop  the  furface  of  the  fields,  and  others  to  live  upon 
the  tops  of  trees,  fo  the  mole  is  formed  to  live  wholly  under  the 
earth,  as  if  nature  meant  that  no  place  mould  be  left  wholly  un- 
tenanted.  Were  we,  from  our  own  fenfations,  to  pronounce 
upon  the  life  of  a  quadruped  that  was  never  to  appear  above 
ground,  but  always  condemned  to  hunt  for  its  prey  underneath, 
and  obliged,  whenever  it  removed  from  one  place  toanother,  to 
bore  its  way  through  a  refilling  body,  we  mould  be  apt  to  af- 
fert  that  fuch  an  exiftence  muft  be  the  moll  frightful  and  fo- 
litary  in  nature.  However,  in  the  prefent  animal,  though  we 
find  it  condemned  to  all  thofe  feeming  inconveniencies,  we 
fhall  difcover  no  figns  of  wretchednefs  or  diilrefs.  No  qua- 
druped is  fatter,  none  has  a  more  fleek  or  glofly  fkin  ;  and, 
though  denied  many  advantages  that  mod  animals  enjoy,  it  is 
more  liberally  pofTefled  of  others,  which  they  have  in  a  more 
fcanty  proportion. 

This  animal,  fo  well  known  in  England,  is,  however,  utterly 
3  ftrangcr  in  other  places,  and  particularly  in  Ireland.  For  fuch. 


RAT   KIND. 

therefore,  as  have  never  feen  it,  a  (hort  dofcription  will  be  ne- 
ceilary.  And,  in  the  firft  place,  though  fomewhat  of  a  fize  be- 
tween the  rat  and  the  moufe,  it  no  way  refembles  either,  being 
nn  animal  entirely  of  a  fmgular  kind,  and  perfectly  unlike  any 
other  quadruped  whatever.    It  is  bigger  than  a  moufe,  with  a 
coat  of  line,  fhort,   glofTy  black  hair.    Its  nofe  is   long  and 
pointed,  refembling  that  of  a  hog,  but  much  longer.    Its  eyes 
r.re  fo  fmall,  that  it  is  fcarce  poffible  to  difcern  them.  Inftead  of 
ears,  it  has  only  holes  in  the  place.  Its  neck  is  fo  fhort,  that  the 
head  fcems  (tuck  upon  the  fhoulders.    The  body  is  thick  and 
round,  terminating  by  a  very  fmall  fhort  tail,  and  its  legs  alfo 
are  fo  very  fhort,  that  the  animal  feems  to  lie  flat  on  its  belly. 
From  under  its  belly,  as  it  refts  in  this  pofition,  the  four  feet 
appear  juft  as  if  they  immediately  grew  cut  of  the  body.  Thus 
the  animal  appears  to  us,  at  firft  view,  as  a  mafsof  flelh  covered 
v/ith  a  fine  fhining  black  (kin,  with  a  little  head,  and  fcarce  any 
legs,  eyes,  or  tail.  On  a  clofer  infpection,  however,  two  little 
black  points  may  be  difcerned,  that  are  its  eyes.  The  ancients, 
and  fome  of  the  moderns,  were  of  opinion,  that  the  animal  was 
utterly  blind  ;  but  Derham,  by  the  help  of  a   microfcope, 
plainly  difcovered  all  the  parts  of  the  eye  that  are  known  in 
other  animals,  fuch  as    the  pupil,  the  vitreous  and  the  cryfta- 
line  humours.  The  fore-legs  appear  very  fhort  and  ftrong,  and 
furnimed  with  five  claws  to  each.  Thefe  are  turned  outwards 
and  backwards  as  the  hands  of  a  man  when  fwimming.    The 
hind-legs  are  longer   and  weaker  than  the  fore  ;  being  only 
ufed  to  aflift  its  motions ;  whereas  the  others  are  continually 
employed  in    digging.    The   teeth  are  like  thofe  of  a  fhrew- 
moufe,  and  there  are  five  on  both  fides  cf  the  upper  jaw,  which 
{land   out ;    but  thofe   behind  are    divided    into  points.    The 
tongue  is  as  large  as  the  mouth  will  hold. 

Such  is  the  extraordinary  figure  and  formation  of  this  an".- 

rnal ;  which,  if  we  compare  with  its  manner  of  living,  we  mall 

:  a  manifeft  attention   in   nature   to  adapt   the   one  to  the 

ether*.   As   it  is  allotted  a  fubterraneous  sbode,  the   feeming 

defects  of  its  formation  vanifh,  or  rather  r.-;e  tuni-jJ  to  its  ad- 


283  ANIMALS  OK  THE 

vantage.  The  breadth,  ftrength,  and  fhortnefs  of  the  fore-feet,, 
which  are  inclined  outwards,  anfwer  the  purpofes  of  digging, 
ferving  to  throwback  the  earth  with  greater  eafe,  and  to  pur- 
fue  the  worms  and  infects  which  are  its  prey:  had  they  been 
longer,  the  falling  in  of  the  earth  would  have  prevented  the 
quick  repetition  of  its  ftrokes  in  working^  or  have  obliged  it 
to  make  a  large  hole,  in  order  to  give  room  for  their  exertion. 
The  form  of  the  body  is  not  lefs  admirably  contrived  for  its 
way  of  life..  The  fore  part  is  thick  and  very  mufcular,  giving 
great  ftrength  to  the  action  of  the  fore-feet,  enabling  it  to  dig 
its  way  with  amazing  force  and  rapacity,  either  to  purfue  its 
prey,  or  elude  the  fearch  of  the  moft  active  enemy.  By 
its  power  of  boring  the  earth,  it  quickly  gets  below  the  fur- 
face  ;  and  I  have  feen  it,  when  let  loofe  in  the  midft  of  a  field, 
like  the  ghoft  on  a  theatre,  inftantly  fink  into  the  earth  ;  and- 
the  moft  active  labourer,  with  a  fpade,  in  vain,  attempted  to 
purfue. 

The  fmallnefs  of  its  eyes,  which  induced  the  ancients  to 
think  it  was  blind,  is,  to  this  animal,  a  peculiar  advantage.  A 
(mall  degree  of  vifion  is  fufficient  for  a  creature  that  is  ever 
deftined  to  live  in  darknefs.-  A  more  extenfive  fight  would  on- 
ly have  ferved  to  mow  the  horrors  of  its  prifon,  while  nature 
had  denied  it  the  means  of  an  efcape.  Had  this  organ  been  lar- 
ger, it  would  have  been  perpetually  liable  to  injuries,  by  the 
falling  of  the  earth  into  it ;  but  nature,  to  prevent  that  incon- 
venience, has  not  only  made  them  very  fmall,  but  very  clofely 
covered  them  with  hair.  Anatomifts  mention,  befide  thefe  ad- 
vantages, another,  that  contributes  to  their  fecurity  ;  namely,  a 
certain  mufcle,  by  which  the  animal  can  draw  back  the  eye 
whenever  it  is  neceflary  or  in  danger. 

As  the  eye  is  thus  perfectly  fitted  to  the  animal's  fituation, 
fo  alfo  are  the  fenfes  of  hearing  and  Duelling.  The  firft  gives  it 
notice  of  the  moft  diftant  appearance  of  danger  j  the  other  di- 
re£ts  it,  in  the  midft  of  darknefs,  to  its  food.  The  wants  of  a 
fubterra neons  animal  can  be  but  few ;  and  thefe  are  fufficient 
to  fupply  them  :  to  eat,  and  to  produce  its  kind,  are  the  who1-; 


RAT  KIND.  289 

employment  of  fuch  a   life  ;  and  for  both  thefe  purpofes,  it  is 
wonderfully  adapted  by  nature.* 

Thus  admirably  is  this  animal  fitted  for  a  life  of  darknefs  and 
folitude ;  with  no  appetites  but  what  it  can  eafily  indulge, 
with  no  enemies  but  what  it  can  eafily  evade  or  conquer.  As 
foon  as  it  has  once  buried  itfelf  in  the  earth,  it  feldom  ftirs  out, 
\mlefs  forced  by  violent  rains  in  fummer,  or  v  hen  in  purfuit  of 
Its  prey,  it  happens  to  come  too  near  the  furface,  and  thus  gets 
into  the  open  air,  uhich  may  be  coniidered  as  its  unnatural  ele- 
ment. In  general,  it  choofts  the  loofer,  fofter  grounds,  beneath 
•which  it  can  travel  with  greater  eafe  ;  in  fuch  alfo  it  generally 
finds  the  greateft  number  of  worms  and  infects,  upon  which  it 
chiefly  preys.  It  is  obferved  to  be  moft  active,  and  to  caft  up 
mod  earth,  immediately  before  rain  ;  and,  in  winter,  before  a 
thaw :  at  thofe  times  the  worms  and  infects  begin  to  be  in 
.motion  •,  and  approach  the  furface,  whither  this  induftrious 
animal  purfues  them.  On  the  contrary,  in  very  dry  weather, 
the  mole  feldom  or  never  forms  any  hillocks  ;  for  then  it  is 
obliged  to  penetrate  deeper  after  its  prey,  which  at  fuch  fea- 
fons  retire  far  into  the  ground. 

As  the  moles  very  feldom  come  above  ground*,  they  have 
but  few  enemies  j  and  very  readily  evade  the  purfuit  of  ani- 
mals ftronger  and  fwifter  than  themfelves.  Their  greateft  ca- 
lamity is  an  inundation  •,  which,  wherever  it  happens,  they 
are  feen,  in  numbers,  attempting  to  fave  themfelves  by 
fwimming,  and  ufing  every  effort  to  reach  the  higher  grounds. 
The  greateft  part,  however,  perim,  as  well  as  their  young, 
which  remain  in  the  holes  behind.  Were  it  not  for  fuch  acci- 
dents, from  their  great  fecundity,  they  would  become  extremely 
troublefome ;  and  as  it  is,  in  fome  places,  they  are  confidered 

*  Tcfles  habet  maximos,  paraltatas  ampliffimas,  novum  corpus  feminale  ab 
liis  diverfum  ac  feparatum  Penem  ctilni  facile  omnium,  ni  fallor,  animalium 
longillimum,  ex  quibus  colligere  eft  maximam  prz  reliquis  omnibus  animali- 
bus  voluptatem  in  coitu,  hoc  abjectum  et  vile  animalculum  percipere,  ut  tia- 
bcant  quod  ipfi  invideant  qui  in  hoc  fupremas  vltx  fuse  delicias  collocant : 
Raii  Synopf  Quadrup.  p.  239.  Huic  opinion!  allentitur  D.  Buffon,  attamen 
non  mihi  apparet  magnitudinem  partium  talem  voluptatem  augere .  Marihu& 
cnim  falaciffiini*  contrarium  obtinet.  f  Buffon. 

VOL.  II.  2  O 


spo  'ANIMALS   OFTHfi 

by  the  farmer  as  his  greateft  peft.  They  couple  towards  the 
approach  of  fpring ;  and  their  young  are  found  about  the 
beginingof  May.  1  hey  generally  have  four  or  five  at  a  time  ; 
and  it  is  eafy  to  diftinguifh  among  other  mole  hills,  that  in 
which  the  female  has  brought  fofililier  young.  Thefe  are  made1 
with  much  greater  art  than  the  reft;  and  are  uiually  larger. 
The  female,  in  order  to  form  this  retreat,  begins  by  creeling 
t-hc  earth  into  a  tolerable  fpacious  apartment,  which  is  fup- 
£orted  within  by  partitions  at  proper  diftahces,  that  prevent  the 
roof  from  falling.  All  round  this  (he  works,  and  beats  the  earth 
very  firm,  fo  as  to  make  it  capable  of  keeping  out  the  rain,  let 
it  be ' never  fo  violent.  As  the  hillock  in  which  this  apartment 
is  thus  formed,  is  raifed  above  ground,  the  apartment  itfelf  is 
c'onfeqtiently  above  the  level  of  the  plain,  arid  therefore,  lefs 
fnbjecl  to  accidental  flight  inundations.  The  place  being  thus 
fitted,  flie  then  procures  graft  and  dry  leaves,  as  a  bed  for  her 
Voung.  There  they  lie  fecurc  from  wet,  and  (lie  continues  to 
make  their  retreat  Equally  fo  from  danger;  for  all  round  this 
hill  of  her  own  raifing,  are  holes  running  into  the  earth,  that 
part  from  the  middle  apartment,  like  rays  from  a  centre,  and 
extend  about  fifteen  feet  in  every  direction :  thefe  referable  fo 
many  walks  or  chaces,  into  which  the  animal  makes  her  fub- 
terraneous  excuriions,  and  fupplies  her  young  with  fuch  roots 
or  infects  as  (he  can  provide  ;  but  they  contribute  ftill  more 
to  the  general  fafety  ;  for,  as  the  mole  is  very  quick  of  hear- 
ing, the  inflant  fhe  perceives  her  little  habitation  attacked,  fhe 
takes  to  her  burrow,  and,  unlefs  the  earth  be  dug  away  by  fe- 
veral  men  at  once^  flie  and  her  young  always  make  a  good 
retreat. 

The  mole  is  fcarcery  found,  except  in  cultivated  coun- 
tries :  the  varieties  are  but  few.  That  which  is  found  in  Vir- 
ginia, refembles  the  common  mole,  except  in  colour,  which  is 
black,  mixed  with  a  deep^purple.  There  are  fometimes  white 
moles,  feen  particularly  in  Poland,  rather  larger  than  the  for- 
mer. As  their  (kin  is  fo  very  foft  and  beautiful,  it  is  odd  that 
it  has  not  been  turned  to  any  advantage.  Agricola  tells  us^ 
that  he  faw  hats  made  from  it,  the  ftneit  and  the  moft  beauti- 
ful that  could  be  imagined. 


HEDGE-HOG    KINO.  291 

CHAP.    XH, 

Of  Animals  of  the  Hedge-No^  or  Pr'tckh  Kl 

ANIMALS  of  the  hedge-hog  kind  require  but  very  little 
accuracy  to  diftinguifh  them  from  all  others.  That  hair 
which  ferv.es  the  generality  of  quadrupeds  for  warmth  and 
ornament,  is  partly  wanting  in  thefe  •,  while  its  place  is  fupr 
plied  by  {harp,  fpines  or  prickles.,  that  ferye  for  their  defence. 
This  general  charaftenftic,  therefore,  makes  a  much  more  ob- 
vious diftincUon  than  any  that  can  be  taken  from  their  teeth 
or  their  claws.  Nature,  by  this  extraordinary  peculiarity, 
feems  to  have  feparated  them  in  a  very  diftinguifhed  manner; 
fo  that,  inftead  of  claffing  the  hedge-hog  among  the  moles,  or 
the  porcupine  with  the  hare,  as  fome  have  done,  it  15  much 
more  natural  and  obvious  to  place  them,  and  others  approach- 
ing them  in  this  itrange  peculiarity,  in  a  clafs  by  themfelves : 
nor  let  it  be  fuppofed,  that  whiie  I  thus  alter  their  arrangement, 
and  feparate  them  from  animals  with  which  they  have  been  for- 
merly combined,  that  I  am  deftroying  any  fecret  affinities  that 
exift  in  nature.  It  is  natural,  indeed,  for  readers  to  fuppofe, 
when  they  fee  two  fuch  oppofite  animals  as  the  hare  and  the 
porcupine  afTembled  together  in  the  fame  group,  that  there 
nmft  be  fome  material  reafon,  fome  fecret  connexion,  for  thus 
joining  animals  fo  little  refembiing  each  other  in  appearance. 
But  the  reafons  for  this  union  wei'e  very  flight,  and  merely 
arofe  from  a  (imilitude  in  the  fore-teeth:  no  likenefs  in  the 
internal  conformation ;  no  fimilitude  in  nature,  in  habitudes, 
or  difpofition  ;  in  fhort,  nothing  to  fatten,  the  link  that  com- 
bines them,  but  the  fimilitude  in  the  teeth  :  this,  therefore, 
may  be  eafily  difpenfed  with  ;  and,  as  wasfaid,  it  will  be  moil 
proper  to  clafs  them  according  to  their  moft  ftriking  iirnili- 
tudes. 

The  hedge-hog,  with  an  appearance  the  moft  formidable,  is 
jet  cae  of  the  moft  harmlefs  animals  in  the  world  f    unable  o$ 


291  ANIMALS  OF  THE 

unwilling  to  offend,  all  its  precautions  are  only  "dire&ed  to  its 
own  fecurity;  and  it  is  armed  with  a  thoufand  points,  to  keep 
off  the  enemy,  but  not  to  invade  him.  While  other  creatures 
truft  to  their  force,  their  cunning,  or  their  fwiftnefs,  this  ani- 
mal, deftitute  of  all,  has  but  one  expedient  for  fafety  ;  and  from 
this  alone  it  often  finds  prote&ion.  As  foon  as  it  perceives  it- 
felf  attacked,  it  withdraws  all  its  vulnerable  parts,  rolls  itfelf 
into  a  ball,  and  prefents  nothing  but  its  defensive  thorns  to  the 
enemy ;  thus,  while  it  attempts  to  injure  no  other  quadruped, 
they  are  equally  incapable  of  injuring  it :  like  thofe  knights, 
we  have  fomewhere  read  of,  who  were  armed  in  fuch  a  man- 
ner, that  they  could  neither  conquer  others,  nor  be  themfelves 
overcome. 

This  animal  is  of  two  kinds  ;  one  with  a  nofe  like  the, 
fnout  of  a  hog  ;  the  other,  more  {hort  and  blunt,  like  that  of 
•a  dog.  That,  with  the  muzzle  of  a  dog,  is  the  moft  common, 
being  about  fix  inches  in  length,  from  the  tip  of  the  nofe  to 
the  infer tion  of  the  tail.  The  tail  is  little  more  than  an  inch 
long  5  and  fo  concealed  by  the  fpines,  as  to  be  fcarce  -vifible  : 
the  head,  back  and  fides,  are  covered  with  prickles ;  the  nofe, 
breaft,  and  belly,  are  covered  with  fine  foft  hair*  ^  the  legs  are 
fhort,  of  a  dulky  colour,  and  almoft  bare ;  the  toes  on  each 
foot,  are  five  in  number,  long  and  feparated  5  the  prickles  are 
about  an  inch  in  length,  and  very  fharp  pointed ;  their  lov/er 
part  is  white,  the  middle  black,  and  the  points  white  :  the  eyes 
are  fmall,  and  placed  high  in  the  head  ;  the  ears  are  round, 
precty  large,  and  naked  ;  the  mouth  is  fmall,  but  well  furnifh- 
ed  with  teeth  ;  thefe,  however,  it  only  ufes  in  chewing  its  food, 
but  neither  in  attacking  nor  defending  itfelf  againft  other  ani- 
mals. Its  only  reliance,  in  cafes  of  danger,  is  on  its  fpines  ; 
the  inftant  it  perceives  an  enemy,  it  puts  itfelf  into  a  pofture 
of  defence,  and  keeps  upon  its  guard,  until  it  fuppofes  the  dan- 
ger over.  On  fuch  occafions,  it  immediately  alters  its  whole 
appearance  :  from  its  ufual  form,  fornewhat  refembling  a  fmall 
animal,  with  a  bunch  on  its  back,  the  animal  begins  to  bend 

*  Praeputium  propendcns.  JLinmei  Syft.  75,  Audofthefeiual«hemi^ht  Jtate 
laid,  refupina  copulatur. 


HEDGE-HOG  KIND.  203 

its  back,  to  lay  its  head  upon  its  breaft,  to  fliut  its  eyes,  to  roll 
down  the  fkin  of  its  fides  towards  the  legs,  to  draw  thefe  up, 
and,  lailly,  to  tuck  them  in  on  every  fide,  by  drawing  the  Ikin 
ftill  clofer.  In  this  form,  which  the  hedge-hog  always  puts  on 
when  difturbed,  it  no  way  refembles  an  animal,  but  rather  a 
roundim  mafs  of  prickles,  impervious  on  every  fide.  The  (hape 
of  the  animal  thus  rolled  up,  fomewhat  refembles  a  chefnut  in 
the  hufk  ;  there  being,  on  one  fide,  a  kind  of  flat  fpace,  which 
is  that  on  which  the  head  and  legs  have  been  tucked  in. 

Such  is  the  ufual  appearance  of  the  hedge-hog,    upon  the 
approach  of  any  danger.  Thus  rolled  up  in  a  lump,  it  patiently 
waits  till  its  enemy  paffes  by,  or  ib  fatigued  with  fruitlefs  at- 
tempts to  annoy  it.    The  cat,  the  weaiel,  the  ferret,  and  the 
martin,  quickly  decline  the  combat ;   and  the  dog    himfelf 
generally  fpends   his  time  in  empty  menaces,  rather  than  in 
effectual  efforts.   Every  increafe  of  danger  only   increafes  the 
animal's  precautions  to  keep  on  its  guard  ;  its  aiiaiiant  vainly 
attempts  to  bite,  fmce  he  thus  more  frequently  feck  than  in- 
flicts a  wound  ;  he   (lands  enraged  and  barking,  and  rolls  it 
along  with  his  paws  ;   ftill,  however,  the  hedge-hog  patiently 
fubmits  to  every  indignity,  but  continues  fecurc  ;  and  ftill  more 
to  difguft  its  enemy  with  the  conteft,  meds  its  urine,  the  fmell 
of  which  is  alone  fufficient  to  fend  him  away.  In  this  manner, 
the  dog,  after  barking  for  fome  time,  leaves  the  hedge-hog  where 
he    found  him  5   who,   perceiving  the   danger  paft,  at  length 
peeps  out  from  its  ball,  and,  if  not  interrupted,  creeps  (lowly 
to  its  retreat. 

The  hedge-hog,  like  moft  other  wild  animals,  fleeps  by  day 
and  ventures  out  by  night.  It  generally  re  fides  in  finall 
thickets,  in  hedges,  or  in  ditches  covered  with  bufhes ;  there 
it  makes  a  hole  of  about  fix  or  eight  inches  deep,  and  lies  well 
wrapped  up  in  mofs,  grafs,  or  leaves.  Its  food  is  roots,  fruits, 
worms  and  infects.  It  is  alfo  faid  to  fuck  cattle,  and  hurt  their 
udders  ;  but  the  fmallnefs  of  its  mouth  will  ferve  to  clear  it 
from  this  reproach.  It  is  faid  alfo  to  be  very  hurtful  in  gardens 
ind  orchards,  where  it  will  roll  itfelf  in  a  heap  of  fruit,  and 
Co  carry  a  large  quantity  away  upon  its  prickles  5  but  this  im- 


294  ANIMALS    OF   THE 

putation  is  as  ill  grounded  as.  the  former,  fince  the  fpines  ara 
ib  difpofed,  that  no  fruit  will  Hick  upon  them,  even  if  we 
fhould  try  to  fix  them  on.  It  rather  appears  to  be  a  very  fei~ 
viceable  animal,  in  ridding  our  fields  of  infe6ts  and  worms, 
which  are  fo  prejudicial  to  vegetation. 

Mr.  BufFon,  who  kept  thefe  animals  t.ime  about  his  houfe, 
acquits  them  of  the  reproach  of  being  mifchievous  in  the  gar- 
den \  but  then  he  accufes  them  of  tricks,  of  which,  from  th^ 
form  ami  habits  of  this  animal,  one  would  be  never  led  to  fuf- 
pe&  them,  <*  I  have  often,"  fays  he,  «  had  the  female  and  her 
young  brought  me  about  the  beginning  of  June:  they  are 
generally  from  three  to  five  in  number-,  they  are  white  in  the 
beginning,  and  only  the  marks  of  their  fpines  appear  :  I  was 
willing  to  rear  fome  of  them  -,  and,  accordingly,  put  the  dam 
and  her  young  into  a  tub,  with  abundant  provifion  befide 
them  -,  but  the  old  animal,  inftead  of  fuckling  her  young,  de- 
voured them  all,  one  after  another.  On  another  occafion,  a 
hedge-hog  that  had  made  its  way  into  the  kitchen,  difcovered 
a  little  pot,  in  which  there  was  meat  prepared  for  boiling  ;  the 
iniichievous  animal  drew  out  the  meat,  and  left  its  excrements 
in  the  Itead.  I  kept  males  and  females  in  the  fame  apartment, 
where  they  lived  together,  but  never  coupled.  I  permitted  fe-_ 
veral  of  them  to  go  about  my  garden  $  they  did  very  little  da- 
mage, and  it  was  fcarcely  perceivable  that  they  were  there  : 
they  lived  upon  the  fruits  that  fell  from  the  trees;  they  dug  the 
earth  into  mallow  holes  ;  they  ate  caterpillars,  beetles,  and; 
worms  5  they  were  alfo  vety  fond  of  ilefh,  which  they  devoured 
boiled  or  raw.'*- 

They  couple  in  fpnng,  and  bring  forth  about  the  beginning 
of  fiuniner.  They  fleep  during  the  winter  ;  anji,  what  is  faid  of 
their  laying  up  provisions  fpr  that  feafon,  is  consequently  falfo. 
They  at  no  time  eat  much,  and  can  remain  very  long  without 
any  food  whatfoever.  Their  blood  is  cold,  like  all  other  am- 
4nals  that  fleep  during  the  winter.  Their  ilefli  is  not  good  fo;; 
food  ;  and  their  ikins  are  converted  to  fearce  any  ufe,  except 
calves,  to  keep  them  from  fucking. 


PJ.-iteXXVI 


,  ''„«//:. 


HEDGE-ftOG  KIN£> 
THE    TANREC    AND   TENDRAC* 


^  THE  tanrec  nnd  tendrac,  are  two  Httle  animals,  defcrilv 
cd  by  mr.  BufFon,  of  the  hedge-hog  kind  ;  but  yet  fufilciently 
different  from  it,  to  conftitute  a  different  fpecies.  Like  the 
hedge-hog,  they  are  covered  with  prickles,  though  mixed  in  i 
greater  proportion  with  hair  •,  bur,  unlike  that  animal,  they  do 
not  defend  themfelves  by  rolling  up  in  a  ball.  Their  wanting 
tiiis  lafl  property  is  alone  Sufficient  to  diftinguifh  them  from 
an  animal  in  which  it  makes  the  mod  ftriking  peculiarity  :  as 
alfo,  rhat  in  the  Eaft-Indies,  where  only  they  are  found,  the 
hedge-hog  exi'fts  feparately  alfo  :  a  manifeft  .proof  that  this 
animal  is  not  a  variety  caiifed  by  the  climate, 

The  tanrec  is  much  lefs  than  the  hedge-hog*,  being  about 
'the  fize  of  a  mole,  and  covered  with  prickles,  like  that  animal, 
except  that  they  are  fhorter  and  fmaller.  The  tendrac  is  ftill 
lefs  than  the  former,  and  is  defended  only  with  prickles  upon 
the  head,  the  neck  and  the  (boulders  ;  the  reft  being  covered 
with  a  coai  fe  hair,  refembling  a  hog's  briftles.  Thefe  little 
animals,  whofe  legs  are  very  fhort,  move  but  flowly.  They 
^runt  like  a  hog  ;  and  wallow,  like  it,  in  the  mire.  They 
love  to  be  near  water  ;  and  fpend  more  of  their  tiiiqe  there  than 
upon  land.  They  are  chiefly  in  creeks  and  harbours  of  fait  water. 
They  multiply  in  great  numbers,  make  themfelves  holes  in  the 
ground,  and  ileep  for  feveral  months.  During  this  torpid  ft  ate* 
th  ;ir  hairs  (and  I  ihould  alfo  fuppoie  their  prickles)  fall  ;  and 
they  are  renewed  upon  thsir  revival.  They  are  ufually  very- 
fat  •,  and  although  their  flefh  be  infipid,  foft,  and  flringy,  yet 
the  Indians  find  it  to  their  taile,  and  confider  it  as  a  very  great 
Vtelicacy. 

*  BufFon.  Tol.  zxv,  p.  254, 


ap<5  ANIMALS  OF  THE 

THE    PORCUPINE. 

THOSE  arms  which  the  hedge-hog  poffeffes  in  miniature, 
the  porcupine  has  in  a  more  enlarged  degree.  The  (hort  pric- 
kles of  the  hedge-hog  are,  in  this  animal,  converted  into  (hafts. 
In  the  one  the  fpines  are  about  an  inch  long  j  in  the  other,  a 
foot.  The  porcupine  is  about  two  feet  long  and  fifteen  inches 
high.  Like  the  hedge-hog,  it  appears  a  mafs  of  mifhapen  flefh, 
covered  with  quills,  from  ten  to  fourteen  inches  long,  refemb- 
ling  the  barrel  of  a  goofe-quill  in  thicknefs  ;  but  tapering  and 
(harp  at  both  ends.  Thefe,  whether  confidered  feparately  or  to- 
gether, afford  fufficient  fubjecl:  to  detain  curiofity.  Each  quill 
is  thickeft  in  the  middle  ;  and  inferted  into  the  animal's  fldn, 
in  the  fame  manner  as  feathers  are  found  to  grow  upon  birds, 
It  is  within  fide  fpongy,  like  the  top  of  a  goofe-quill  ;  and  of 
different  colours,  being  white  and  black  alternately,  from  one 
end  to  the  other.  The  biggeft  are  often  found  fifteen  inches 
long,  and  a  quarter  of  an  inch  in  diameter  ;  extremely  fharp? 
and  capable  of  inflicting  a  mortal  wound.  They  feem  harder 
than  common  quills,  being  difficult  to  be  cut,  and  folid  at  that 
end  which  is  not  fixed  in  the  fkin.  If  we  examine  them  in 
common,  as  they  grow  upon  the  animal,  they  appear  of  two 
kinds  ;  the  one,  fuch  as  I  have  already  defcribed  ;  the  other, 
long,  flexible  and  flender,  growing  here  and  there  among  the 
former.  There  is  ftill  another  fort  of  quills,  that  grow  near  the 
tail,  white  and  tranfparent,  like  writing  quills,  and  that  feem 
to  be  cut  fhort  at  the  end.  All  thefe  quills,  of  whatfoever  kind, 
incline  backwards,  like  the  briftles  of  a  hog  ;  but  when  the  ani- 
mal is  irritated,  they  rife  and  ftand  upright,  as  briftles  are 
feen  to  do. 

Such  is  the  formation  of  this  quadruped,  in  thofe  parts  in 
which  it  differs  from  moft  others  :  as  to  the  reft  of  its  figure,  the 
muzzle  bears  fome  refcmblance  to  that  of  a  hare,  but  black  ; 
the  legs  are  very  fhort,  and  the  feet  have  five  toes,  both  before 
and  behind  ;  and  thefe,  as  well  as  the  belly,  the  head,  and  all 
€ther  parts  of  the  body,  are  covered  with  a  fort  of  fhort  hair, 


HEDGE-HOG   KIND. 

like  prickles,  there  being  no  part  except  the  ears  and  the  fole  of 
the  foot,  that  is  free  from  them  :  the  ears  are  thinly  covered 
with  very  fine  hair  ;  and  are  in  fhape  like  thofe  of  mankind  : 
the  eyes  are  fmall,  like  thofe  of  a  hog,  being  only  one  third 
of  an  inch  from  one  corner  to  the  other.  After  the  fkin  is  taken 
off,  there  appears  a  kind  of  paps  on  thofe  parts  of  the  body  from 
whence  the  large  quills  proceed  •,  thefe  are  about  the  fize  of 
a  fmall  pea,  each  anfwering  to  as  many  holes  which  appear  on, 
the  outward  furface  of  the  fkin,  and  which  are  about  half  an 
inch  deep,  like  as  many  hollow  pipes,  wherein^the  quills  ar$- 
fixed,  as  in  fo  many  (heaths. 

This  animal  feems  to  partake  very  much  of  the  nature  <% 
the  hedge-hog ;  having  this  formidable  apparatus  of  arms  rather 
to  defend  itfelf,  than  annoy  the  enemy.  There  have  been,  in- 
deed, many  naturalifts  who  fuppofed  that  it  was  capable  of  dif- 
charging  them  at  its  foes,  and  killing  at  a  great  diftancc  offf 
But  this  opinion  has  been  entirely  difcredited  of  late  ;  and  it  is 
now  univerfally  believed,  that  its  quills  remain  firmly  fixed  in 
the  fkin,  and  are  then  only  fhed  when  the  animal  moults  them, 
as  birds  do  their  feathers.  It  is  true,  we  are  told  by  Ellis,  that 
a  wolf  at  Hudfon's  bay  was  found  dead,  with  the  quills  of  a 
porcupine  fixed  within  its  mouth  ;  which  might  have  very  well 
happened,  from  the  voracioufnefs  of  the  former,  and  not  the 
refentment  of  the  latter.  That  rapacious  creature,  in  the  rage 
of  appetite,  might  have  attempted  to  devour  the  porcupine, 
quills  and  all,  and  very  probably  paid  the  forfeit,  by  its  life. 
However  this  be,  of  all  the  porcupines  that  have  been  brought 
into  Europe,  not  one  was  ever  feen  to  launch  its  quills  ;  and 
yet  the  irritations  they  received  were  fufficient  to  have  pro- 
voked their  utmofl  indignation.  Of  all  the  porcupines  that 
doctor  Shaw  obferved  in  Africa,  and  he  fa\v  numbers,  not  one 
ever  attempted  to  dart  its  quills,  their  ufual  manner  of  defence 
being,  to  lie  on  one  fide,  and  when  the  enemy  Approaches  very 
near,  by  fuddenly  rifmg,  to  wound  him  with  the  points  on  the 
•ther. 

VOL.  II.  2  P 


892  ANIMALS  OF 

It  is  probable,  therefore,  that  the  porcupine  is  feldom  the 
aggreflbr ;  and  when   attacked  by  the  bolder  animals,  it  only 
directs  its   quills  fo  as  to  keep  always  pointing  towards  the 
enemy.  Thefe  are  an  ample  protection ;  and,  as  we  are  allur- 
ed by  Kolben,   at  fuch  times,  even  the  lion  himfelf  will  not 
venture  to  make  an  attack.    From  fuch,  therefore,  the  porcu- 
pine can  defend  itfelf ;  and  chiefly  hunts  for  ferpents,  and  all 
other  reptiles,  for  fubfiftence.  Travellers  univerfally  allure  us, 
that,  between  the  ferpent  and  the  porcupine  there  exifts  an  ir- 
reconcileable  enmity,  and  that  they  never  meet  without  a  mor- 
tal engagement-)-.  The  porcupine,  on  thefe  occafions,  is  faid  to 
roll  itfelf  upon  the  ferpent,  and  thus  deftroy  and  devour  it. 
This  may  be  true ;   while  what  we  are  informed  by  monfieur 
Sarrafin,   of  the    porcupine  of   Canada    chiefly  fubfiiting  on 
vegetables,  may  be  equally  fo.    Thofe  which  are  brought  to 
this  country  to  be  fhown,  are  ufually  fed  on  bread,  milk,  and 
fruits  •,  but  they  will  not  refufe  meat  when  it  is  offered  them  ; 
and'it  is  probable,  they  prefer  it  in  a  wild  ftate,  when  it  is  to  be 
had  J.  The  porcupine  is  alfo  known  to  be  extremely  hurtful  to 
gardens  ;  and,  where  it  enters,  does  incredible  damage. 

The  Americans  who  hunt  this  animal,  aflure  us,  that  the 
porcupine  lives  from  twelve  to  fifteen  years.  During  the  time 
of  coupling,  which  is  in  the  month  of  September,  the  males 
become  very  fierce  and  dangerous,  and  often  are  feen  to  de- 
ftroy each  other  with  their  teeth.  The  female  goes  with  young 
feven  months,  and  brings  forth  but  one  at  a  time ;  this  fhe 
fucklcs  but  about  a  month,  and  accuftoms  it  betimes  to  live, 
like  herfelf,  upon  vegetables  and  the  bark  of  trees  ;  fhe  is  very 
fierce  in  its  defence  ;  but,  at  other  feafons,  fhe  is  fearful,  timid, 
and  harmlefs.  The  porcupine  never  attempts  to  bite,  nor  any 
way  to  injure  its  purfuers  :  if  hunted  by  a  dog  or  a  wolf,  it 
inftantly  dimbs  up  a  tree,  and  continues  there  until  it  has  wea- 
ried out  the  patience  of  its  adverfary  ;  the  wolf  knows  by  ex- 
perience how  fruitlefs  it  would  be  to  wait,  he  therefore  leaves 
the  porcupine  above,  and  feeks  out  for  a  new  adventure. 

•)•  Bofman.  Smith.  L.  P.  Vincent  Marie,  &c.  J  Buflfon. 


HEDGE-HOG   KIND.  299 

The  porcupine  does  not  cfcape  fo  well  from  the  Indian  hun- 
ter, who  eagerly  purfues  it,  in  order  to  make  embroidery  of  its 
quills,  and  to  eat  its  flefh.  This,  as  we  are  commonly  told,  is 
very  tolerable  eating  ;  however,  we  may  expect  wretched  pro- 
vifions  when  the  favages  are  to  be  our  caterers,  for  they  eat 
every  thing  that  has  life.  But  they  are  very  ingenious  with  re- 
gard to  fheir  embroidery  :  If  I  underftand  the  accounts  rightly, 
they  dye  the  quiils  of  various  colours,  and  then  fplitting  them 
into  flips,  as  we  fee  in  the  making  of  a  cane-chair,  they  em- 
broider, with  thefe,  their  belts,  bafkets,  and  feveral  other  ne- 
ceiTary  pieces  of  furniture. 

As  to  the  reft,  there  are  many  things  related  concerning  this 
animal  that  are  fabulous  ;  but  there  are  ftill  many  circum- 
ilances  more,  that  yet  remain  to  be  known.  It  were  curious 
to  enquire  whether  this  animal  moults  its  quills  when  wild, 
for  it  is  never  feen  to  med  them  in  a  domeftic  ftate  •,  whether 
it  fleeps  all  the  winter,  as  we  are  told  by  fome  naturalifts, 
which  we  are  fure  it  does  not  when  brought  into  our  country;, 
and,  laftly,  whether  its  quills  can  be  fent  off  with  a  make ;  for 
no  lefs  a  naturalift  than  Reaumur  was  of  that  opinion. 

All  that  we  can  learn  of  an  animal  expofed  as  a  mow,  or 
even  by  its  diffe&ion,  is  but  merely  its  conformation  ;  and  that 
makes  one  of  the  leaft  interefting  parts  of  its  hiftory.  We  are 
naturally  led,  when  prefented  with  an  extraordinary  creature, 
to  expect  fomething  extraordinary  in  its  way  of  living,  fome- 
thing  uncommon,  and  correfponding  with  its  figure  ;  but  of 
this  animal  we  know  little  with  any  precifion,  except  what  it 
offers  in  a  ftate  of  captivity.  In  fuch  a  fituation,  that  which  I 
faw,  appeared  to  very  little  advantage  :  it  was  extremely  dull 
and  torpid,  though  very  wakeful ;  and  extremely  voracious, 
though  very  capable  of  fuftaining  hunger;  as  averfe  to  a:  y 
attachment,  as  to  being  tamed  :  it  \vas  kept  in  an  iron  cage, 
and  the  touching  one  of  the  bars  was  fufficient  to  excite  its  re- 
fentment,  for  its  quills  were  inftantly  ere&ed ;  and  the  poet 
was  right  in  his  epithet  of  fretful,  for  it  appeared  to  me  the 
moft  irafcible  creature  upon  earth. 


563        '       UARUPEDS  c°VER£Ii 

The  porcupines  of  -America  differ  very  much  from  that  of 
the  ancient  continent,  which  we  have  been  defcribing ;  and, 
ftriclly  fpeaking,  may  be  confidered  as  animals  of  a  different 
fpecies  :  however,  from  their  being  covered  with  quills,  we  will 
only  add  theni  as  varieties  of  the  former,  fmce  we  know  very 
little  concerning  them,  except  their  difference  of  figure.  They 
are  of  two  kinds ;  the  one  called  the  couando  j  and  th$  other, 
iirft  named  by  mr.  Buffon,  the  urfon :  the  one  a  native  of  the 
northern  parts  of  America ;  the  other  of  the  fouth ;  and  both 
differing  from  the  former,  in  having  long  tails^  whereas  that 
has  a  very  fhort  one; 

The  couando  is  much  lefs  than  the  porcupine  5  its  quills  are 
four  times  fhorter,  its  friout  more  unlike  that  of  a  hare ;  its 
tail  is  long  enough  to  catch  by  the  branches  of  trees,  and  hold 
by  them.  It  may  be  eafily  tamed,  and  is  to  be  found  chiefly  in 
the  fouthern  parts  of  America  ;  yet  is  not  wanting  alfo  in  the 
northern : 

The  uffon,  which  mr.  Buffon  calls  after  our  countryman 
tludfon,  is  a  native  of  Hudfon's  bay.  The  make  of  the  body 
of  this  animal  is  not  fo  round  as  that  of  the  two  former,  but 
fomewhat  refembling  the  fhape  of  a  pig.  It  is  covered  with 
long  briflly  hair,  with  a  fhorter  hair  underneath  ;  and  under 
this  the  quills  lie  concealed  very  thick  •,  they  are  white,  with  a 
brown  point,  and  bearded,  and  the  longeft  do  not  exceed  four 
inches  ;  they  ftick  to  the  hand  when  the  animal  is  flroked  on 
the  back  •,  and  likewife,  when  the  hand  is  taken  away,  they  ftick 
fo  fafl  as  to  follow  it.  They  make  their  nefts  under  the  roots  of 
great  trees,  fleep  very  much,  and  chiefly  feed  upon  the  bark  of 
the  juniper.  In  winter  the  fnow  ferves  them  for  drink  ;  and  in 
fummer  they  lap  water,  like  a  dog.  They  are  very  common  in 
the  country  lying  to  the  eaft  of  Hudfon's  bay  ;  and  feveral  of 
the  trading  Americans  depend  on  them  for  food,  at  fome  fea- 
fons  of  the  year. 


WITH   SCALES   OR   SHELLS.        jpx 

CHAP.     XIII. 

Of  Quadrupeds  covered  'with  Scales  or  Shells  in/lead  of  Hair*. 

WHEN  we  talk  of  a  quadruped,  the  name  feems  to  im- 
ply an  animal  covered  with  hair  ;  when  we  mention  a 
bird,  it  is  natural  to  conceive  a  creature  covered  with  feathers ; 
when  we  hear  of  a  fifh,  its  fcales  are  generally  the  firft  part 
that  ftrikes  our  imagination.  Nature,  however,  owns  none  of 
our  diftinctions ;  various  in  all  her  operations,  fhe  mixes  her 
plans,  groups  her  pictures,  and  excites  our  wonder  as  well  by 
her  general  laws  as  by  her  deviations.  Quadrupeds  which  we 
have  confidered  as  making  the  firft  general  clafs  in  animated 
nature,  and  next  to  man,  the  moft  dignified  tenants  of  the 
earth,  are  yet  in  many  refpedls  related  to  the  clafTes  beneath 
them,  and  do  not  in  every  refpeft  preferve  their  ufual  diftinc- 
tions.  Their  firft  character,  which  confifts  in  having  four  feet, 
is  common  to  the  lizard  kind  as  well  as  to  them.  The  fecond 
prerogative,  which  is  that  of  bringing  forth  living  young,  is 
found  in  the  cetaceous  tribe  of  fimes,  and  alfo  in  infe£ls  with- 
out number.  Their  third  and  laft  attribute,  which  feems  more 
general  and  conftant  than  the  former,  that  of  being  covered 
with  hair,  is  yet  found  in  various  other  animals,  and  is  defici- 
ent in  quadrupeds  themfelves.  Thus  we  muft  be  cautious  of 
judging  of  the  nature  of  animals  from  one  fingle  character, 
which  is  always  found  incomplete  5  for  it  often  happens  that 
three  or  four  of  the  moft  general  characters  will  not  fuffice. 
It  muft  be  by  a  general  enumeration  of  the  parts  that  we  can 
determine  precifely  of  the  works  of  the  creation  ;  and,  inftead 
of  definitions,  learn  to  defcribe.  Had  this  method  been  fol- 
lowed, much  of  the  difguft  and  the  intricacy  of  hiftory  might 
have  been  avoided,  and  that  time,  which  is  now  employed  in 
combating  error,  laid  out  in  the  promoting  of  fcience. 

*  This  chapter  is  chiefly  extracted  from  mr.  Buffbn,  which  I  mrntion  at 
once,  to  fave  the  trouble  of  repeated  quotation. 


302          QJJADRUPEDS    COVERED 

"Were  we  to  judge  of  nature  from  definitions  only,  we 
ihould  never  be  induced  to  fuppofe  that  there  exifted  races  of 
viviparous  quadrupeds  deftitute  of  hair,  and  furniihed  with 
fcales  and  fhells  in  their  flead.  However,  nature  every  way 
various,  fupplies  us  with  many  inftances  of  thefe  extraordi- 
nary creatures  ;  the  old  world  has  its  quadrupeds  covered  with 
fcales,  and.  the  new  with  a  {hell.  In  both  they  refembl%each 
other,  as  well  in  the  ftrangenefs  of  their  appetites  as  in  their 
aukward  conformation.  Like  animals  but  partially  made  up, 
and  partaking  of  different  natures,  they  want  thofe  inftin&s 
which  animals  formed  but  for  one  element  alone  are  found  to 
po fiefs.  They  feem  to  be  a  kind  of  ftrangers  in  nature,  crea- 
tures taken  from  fome  other  element,  and  capricioufly  thrown 
to  find  a  precarious  fubfiftence  upon  land. 

The  pangolin,  which  has  been  ufually  called  the  fcaly  li- 
zard, mr.  BufFon  very  judicioufly  reftores  to  that  denomina- 
tion by  which  it  is  known  in  the  countries  where  it  is  found. 
The  calling  it  a  lizard,  he  juftly  obferves,  might  be  apt  to  pro- 
duce error,  and  occafion  its  being  confounded  with  an  animal 
which  it  refembles  only  in  its  general  form,  and  in  its  being 
covered  with  fcales.  The  lizard  may  be  confidered  as  a  reptile, 
produced  from  an  egg;  the  pangolin  is  a  quadruped,  and 
brought  forth  alive  and  perfectly  formed.  The  lizard  is  all 
over  covered  with  the  marks  of  fcales  ;  the  pangoliii'has  fcales 
neither  on  the  throat,  the  breaft,  nor  the  belly.  The  fcales  of 
the  lizard  feem  fluck  upon  the  body  evenclofer  than  thofe  of 
fifties  ;  the  fcales  of  the  pangolin  are  only  fixed  at  one  end,  and 
capable  of  being  erected,  like  thofe  of  the  porcupine,  at  the 
will  of  the  animal.  The  lizard  is  a  defencelefs  creature  ;  the 
pangolin  .can  roll  itfelf  into  a  ball,  like  the  hedge-hog,  and 
prefent  the  points  of  its  fcales  to  the  enemy,  which  effectually 
defend  it. 

The  pangolin,  which  is  a  native  of  the  torrid  climates  of 
the  ancient  continent,  is,  of  all  ether  animals,  the  beil  protec- 
ted from  external  injury  by  nature.  It  is  about  three  or  four 
feet  long,  or,  taking  in  the  tail,  from  fix  to  eight.  Like  the  !!• 


WITH  SCALES    OR^SHELLS.         303 

zard,  it  has  a  fmall  head,  a  very  long  nofe,  a  fhort  thick  neck, 
a  long  body,  legs  very  fhort,  and  a  tail  extremely  long,  thick 
at  the  infenion,  and  terminating  in  a  point.  It  has  no  teeth, 
but  is  ar  med  with  five  toes  on  each  foot,  \\  ith  long  white 
claws.  But  what  it  is  chiefly  diflinguifhed  by,  is,  its  fcaly  co- 
vering, which,  in  fome  meafure,  hides  all  the  proportions  of  its 
body.  Thefe  fcales  defend  the  animal  on  all  parts,  except  the 
under  part  of  the  head  and  neck,  under  the  moulders^  the 
breaft,  the  belly,  and  the  inner  fide  of  the  legs ;  all  which 
parts  are  covered  with  a  fmooth  foft  fkin,  without  hair.  -Be- 
tween the  {hells  of  this  animal,  at  all  the  interftices,  are  feen 
hairs  like  bridles,  brown  at  the  extremity  and  yellow  towards 
the  root.  The  fcales  of  this  extraordinary  creature  are  of  dif- 
ferent fizes  and  different  forms,  and  (luck  upon  the  body 
fomewhat  like  the  leaves  of  an  artichoke.  The  largeft  are  found 
near  the  tail,  which  is  covered  with  them  like  the  reft  of  the 
body.  Thefe  are  above  three  inches  broad,  and  about  two  in- 
ches long,  thick  in  the  middle  and  (harp  at  the  edges,  and  ter- 
minated in  a  roundifh  point.  They  are  extremely  hard,  and 
their  fubftance  refembles  that  of  horn.  They  are  convex  on 
the  outfide  and  a  little  concave  on  the  inner ;  one  edge  flicks 
in  the  fkin,  while  the  other  laps  over  that  immediately  behind  it. 
Thofe  that  cover  the  tail  conform  to  the  (hape  of  that  part, 
being  of  a  duiky  brown  colour,  andfo  hard,  when  the  animal 
has  acquired  its  full  growth,  as  to  turn  a  mufket-ball. 

Thus  armed,  this  animal  fears  nothing  from  the  efforts  of  all 
other  creatures,  except  man.  The  inftant  it  perceives  the  ap- 
proach of  an  enemy,  it  rolls  itfelf  up  like  the  hedge-hog,  and 
prefents  no  pnrt  but  the  cutting  edges  of  its  fcales  to  the  aiTail- 
ant.  Its  long  tail,  which,  at  firil  view,  might  be  thought  eafily 
feparable,  ferves  flill  more  to  increafe  the  animal's  fecuritv. 
This  is  lapped  round  the  reft  of  the  body,  and,  being  defended 
with  fhells  even  more  cutting  than  any  other  part,  the  creature 
continues  in  perfect  fecurity.  Its  fhells  are  fo  large,  fo  thick, 
and  fo  pointed,  that  they  repel  every  animal  of  prey ;  they  make 
a  coat  of  armour  that  wounds  while  it  refifts,  and  at  once 
protects  and'threatens.  The  molt  cruel,  the  mofl  famimed 


QJJADRUPEDS   COVERED 

quadruped  of  the  foreft,  the  tiger,  the  panther,  and  the  hyaena, 
make  vain  attempts  to  force  it.  They  tread  upon,  they  roll  it 
about,  but  all  to  no  purpofe  ;  the  pangolin  remains  fafe  within, 
while  its  invader  almoft  always  feels  the  reward  of  its  rafli- 
nefs.  The  fox  often  deftroys  the  hedge-hog  bypreffing  it  with 
his  weight,  and  thus  obliges  it  to  put  forth  its  nofe,  which  he 
inftantly  feizes,  and  foon  after  the  whole  body ;  but  the  fcales 
of  the  pangolin  effectually  fupport  it  under  any  fuch  weight, 
while  nothing  that  the  ftrongeft  animals  are  capable  of  doing, 
can  compel  it  to  furrender.  Man  alone  feems  furnifhed  with 
arms  to  coiiquer  its  obftinacy.  The  negroes  of  Africa,  when 
they  find  it,  beat  it  to  death  with  clubs,  and  confider  its  flefh  as 
a  very  great  delicacy. 

But,  although  this  animal  be  fo  formidable  in  its  appear- 
ance, there  cannot  be  a  more  harmlefs,  inoffenfive  creature 
when  unmolefled.  It  is  even  unqualified  by  nature  to  injure 
larger  animals,  if  it  had  the  difpofition,  for  it  has  no  teeth. 
It  (hould  feem  that  the  bony  matter,  which  goes  in  other  ani- 
mals to  fupply  the  teeth,  is  exhaufted  in  this,  in  fupplying  the 
fcales  that  go  to  the  covering  of  its  body.  However  this  be, 
its  life  feems  correfpondent  to  its  peculiar  conformation.  Inca- 
pable of  being  carnivorous,  fince  it  has  no  teeth,  nor  of  fubfift- 
ing  on  vegetables,  which  require  much  chewing,  it  lives  en* 
tirely  upon  infecls,  for  which  nature  has  fitted  it  in  a  very  ex- 
traordinary manner.  As  it  has  a  long  nofe,  fo  it  may  natu- 
rally be  fuppofed  to  have  a  long  tongue  ;  but,  to  increafe  its 
length  ftill  more,  it  is  doubled  in  the  mouth,  fo  that  when 
extended,  it  is  fhot  out  to  above  a  quarter  of  a  yard  beyond  the 
tip  of  the  nofe.  This  tongue  is  round,  extremely  red,  and  co- 
vered with  an  un£tuous  and  flimy  liquor,  which  gives  it  a 
ihining  hue.  When  the  pangolin,  therefore,  approaches  an 
ant  hill,  for  thefe  are  the  infecls  on  which  it  chiefly  feeds, 
it  lies  down  near  it,  concealing  as  much  as  poffible  the  place 
of  its  retreat,  and  ftretching  out  its  long  tongue  among  the 
ants,  keeps  it  for  fome  time  quite  immoveable.  Thcfe  little 
animals,  allured  by  its  appearance,  and  the  undtuous  fubftance 
with  which  it  is  fmeared,  inftantly  gather  upon  it  in  great 


WITH    SCALES    OR  SHELLS.        305 

numbers ;  and  when  the  pangolin  fuppofes  a  fufficlency,  it 
quickly  withdraws  the  tongue,  and  (wallows  them  at  once. 
This  peculiar  manner  of  hunting  for  its  prey  is  repeated  ei- 
ther till  it  be  fatisfied,  or  till  the  ants,  grown  more  cautious, 
will  be  allured  K>  their  deftruclion  no  longer.  It  is  again  ft  thefe 
noxious  infects,  therefore,  that  its  only  force  or  cunning  is 
exerted  ;  and  were  the  negroes  but  fuiliciently  fenfible  of  its 
utility  in  deftroying  one  of  the  grealeft  pelts  to  their  country, 
they  would  not  be  fo  eager  to  kill  it.  But  it  is  the  nature  of 
favage  men  to  purfue  the  immediate  gcod,  without  being  fo- 
licitous  about  the  more  diftant  benefit  they  remove.  They, 
therefore,  hunt  this  animal,  with  the  utmoft  avidity,  for  its 
flefh  j  and,  as  it  is  flow  and  unable  to  efcape  in  an  open  place, 
they  feldom  fail  of  deftroying  it.  Howsver,  it  chiefly  keeps  in 
the  moft  obfcure  parts  of  the  foreft,  and  digs  itfclf  a  retreat 
in  the  clefts  of  rocks,  where  it  brings  forth  its  young,  fo  that 
it  is  but  rarely  met  with,  and  continues  a  folirary  fpeeies,  and 
an  extraordinary  inftance  of  the  varying  of  nature. 

Of  this  animal,  there  is  a  variety  which  is  called  the  pha- 
tagin,  much  lefs  than  the  former,  being  not  above  a  fcot  long 
from  the  head  te  the  tail,  with  fhells  differently  formed,  with 
its  belly,  breaft,  and  throat  covered  with  hair,  inftoad  of  a 
fmooth  (kin  as  in  the  former  j  but  that  by  which  it  is  pecu- 
liarly diitinguimed  is  the  extent  of  its  tail,  which  is  above 
twice  the  length  of  its  body.  Both  are  found  in  the  warm 
latitudes  of  the  eaft,  as  well  as  in  Africa  ;  and,  as  their  num- 
bers are  but  few,  it  is  to  be  fuppofed  their  fecundity  is  not 
great. 


THE    ARMADILLO    OR    TATOU. 

HAVING  mentioned  quadrupeds  of  the  ancient  contv- 
Kent  covered  with  fcales,  we  come  next  to  quadrupeds  of  the 
new  continent  covered  with  (hells.  It  would  feem  that  nature 
had  referved  all  the  wonders  of  her  power  for.  thefe  remote* 

VOL.  IL  2 


3o5          QJJADRUPEDS   COVERED 

and  thinly  inhabited  countries,  where  the  men  are  favage  and 
the  quadrupeds  various.  It  would  feem  that  fhe  becomes 
more  extraordinary  in  proportion  as  fhe  retires  from  human 
infpeaion.  But  the  real  fad  is,  that  wherever  mankind  are 
polifhed,  or  thickly  planted,  they  foon  rid  tlie  earth  of  thefe 
odd  and  half-formed  produdions,  that,  in  fome  meafure,  en- 
cumber the  foil.  They  foon  difappear  in  a  cultivated  country, 
and  continue  to  exift  only  in  thofe  remote  dcferts  where  they 
have  no  -enemies  but  fuch  as  they  are  enabled  to  oppofe. 

The  armadillo  is  chiefly  an  inhabitant  of  South- America  ;, 
a  peaceful,  harmlefs  creature,  incapable  of  offending  any  other 
quadruped,  and  furnifhed  \vith  a  peculiar  covering  for  its 
own  defence.  The  pangolin,  defcribed  above,  feems  an  in- 
active helplefs  being,  indebted  for  fafety  more  to  its  patience 
than  its  power  •,  but  the  armadillo  is  flill  more  expofed  and 
helplefs.  The  pangolin  is  furniihed  with  an  armour  that 
wounds  while  it  refifts,  and  that  is  never  attacked  with  im- 
punity ;  but  the  armadillo  is  obliged  to  fubmit  to  every  infult, 
without  any  power  of  repelling  its.  enemy;  it  is  attacked 
without  danger,  and  is  confequently  liable  to  more  various- 
perfections. 

This  animal  being  covered,  like  a  tortoife,  with  a  {hell,  or 
rather  a  number  of  (hells,  its  other  proportions  are  not  eafily 
difcerned.  It  appears,  at  firit  view,  a  round  mifhapen  mafs, 
with  a  long  head,  and  a  very  large  tail  flicking  out  at  either 
end,  as  if  not  of  a  piece  with  the  reft  of  the  body.  It  is  of 
different  fizes,  from  a  foot  to  three  feet  long,  and  covered 
with  a  (hell  divided  into  feveral  pieces,  that  lap  over  each 
other,  like  the  plates  in  a  coat  of  armour,  or  in  the  tail  of  a 
lobfter.  The  difference  in  the  fize  of  this  animal,  and  alfo  the 
different  difpofition  and  number  of  its  plates,  have  been  con- 
fidered  as  conftituting  fo  many  fpecies,  each  marked  with  its 
own  particular  name.  In  all,  however,  the  animal  is  partially- 
covered  with  this  natural  coat  of  mail  ;  the  conformation  of 
which  affords  one  of  the  moft  flriking  curiofities  in  natural 
hiftory.  This  ftiell,  which,  in  every  refpecl:,  refembles  a  bony 


WITH  SCALES   OR  SHELLS.         307 

fubftance,  covers  the  head,  the  neck,  the  back,  the  fides,  the 
rump,  and  the  tail  to  the  very  point.  The  only  parts  to  which 
it  does  not  extend,  are,  the  throat,  the  breait,  and  the  belly, 
which  are  covered  with  a  white,  foft  (kin,  fomewhat  refem- 
bling  that  of  a  fowl  dripped  of  its  feathers.  If  thefe  naked 
parts  be  obferved  with  attention,  they  will  be  found  covered 
\viih  the  rudiments  of  (hells,  of  the  fame  fubftance  with 
thofe  which  cover  the  back.  The  (kin,  even  in  the  parts  that 
are  fofteil,  feems  to  have  a  tendency  to  oflify ;  but  a  complete 
edification  takes  place  only  on  thofe  parts  which  have  the 
lead  fri&ion,  and  are  the  moft  expofed  to  the  weather.  The 
fliell,  which  covers  the  upper  part  of  the  body,  differs  from 
that  of  the  tortoife,  in  being  compofed  of  more  pieces  than 
one,  which  lie  in  bands  over  the  body,  and,  as  in  the  tail  o£ 
the  lobfter,  flide  over  each  other,  and  are  connected  by  a  yel- 
low membrane  in  the  fame  manner.  By  this  means,  the  ani- 
mal has  a  motion  in  its  back,  and  the  armour  gives  way  to  its 
neceflary  inflexions.  Thefe  bands  are  of  various  numbers  and 
fizes,  and  from  them  thefe  animals  have  been  diflinguifhed 
into  various  kinds.  In  general,  however,  there  are  two  large 
pieces  that  cover,  one  the  fhouiders,  and  the  other  the  rump. 
In  the  back,  between  thefe,  the  bands  are  placed  in  different 
numbers,  that  lap  over  each  other,  and  give  play  to  the  whole. 
Befides  their  opening  crofs-ways,  they  alfo  open  down  along 
the  back,  fo  that  the  animal  can  move  in  every  direction.  In 
fome,  there  are  but  three  of  thefe  bands  between  the  large 
pieces  ;  in  others  there  are  fix  ;  in  a  third  kind,  there  are 
eight ;  in  a  fourth  kind,  nine  ;  in  a  fifth  kind,  twelve  j  and, 
laftly,  in  the  fixth*  kind,  there  is  but  one  large  piece,  which 
covers  the  moulders,  and  the  reft  of  the  body  is  covered  with 
bands  all  down  to  the  tail.  Thefe  (hells  are  differently  coloured 
in  different  kinds,  but  moft  ufually  they  are  of  a  dirty  grey. 
This  colour  in  all  arifes  from  another  peculiar  circumftance 
in  their  conformation,  for  the  fhell  itfelf  is  covered  with  a 
foftim  fkin,  which  is  fmooth  and  tranfparent. 

But,  although  thefe  (hells  might  eafily  defend  this  animal 
from  a  feeble  enemy,  yet  they  could  make  but  a  flight  refinance 


308          QJJADRUPEDS   COVERED 

again/I  a  more  powerful  antagoniil ;  nature,  therefore,  lias  gi- 
ven the  armadillo  the  fame  method  of  protecting  itfelf  with  the 
liedge-hog  or  the  pangolin.  The  inftant  it  perceives  itfelf  at- 
tacked, it  withdraws  the  head  under  iis  (hells,  and  lets  nothing 
be  fcen  but  the  tip  of  the  nofe  ;  if  the  danger  increafes,  the 
animaPs  precautions  increafe  in  proportion  ;  "it  then  tucks  up 
its  feet  under  its  belly,  unites  its  two  extremities  together,  while 
the  tail  feems  as  a  band  to  ftrengthen  the  connection  ;  and  it 
thus  Becomes  like  a  ball,  a  little  iTattifii  on  each  fide.  In  this 
pofition,  it  continues  obftiaately  fixed,  while  the  danger  is  near, 
and  often  long  after  it  is  over.  In  this  fituation,  it  is  toiled 
about  at  the  pleafure  of  every  other  quadruped,  and  very  little 
refembling  a  creature  endowed  with  life  and  motion.  When- 
ever the  Indians  take  it,  which  is  in  this  form,  by  laying  it 
clofe  to  the  fire,  they  foon  oblige  the  poor  animal  to  unfold 
itfelf,  and  to  face  a  milder  death  to  efcape  a  more  fevere. 

This  animal  is  a  native  only  of  America,  for  they  were 
utterly  unknown  before  the  difccvcry  of  that  continent.  It  is 
an  inoffenfive,  harmless  creature,  unlefs  it  finds  the  way  into 
a  garden,  where  it  does  a  great  deal  of  mifchief,  by  eating  the 
melons,  the  potatoes,  and  other  vegetables.  Although  a  native 
of  the  warmeil  parts  of  America,  yet  it  bears  the  cold  of  our 
climate  without  any  inconvenience.  We  have  often  feen  them 
ihown  among  other  wild  beads,  which  is  a  proof  they  are  not 
difficult  to  be  brought  over.  Their  motion  feems  to  be  a  fwift 
walk,  but  they  can  neither  run,  leap,  nor  climb  trees  ;  fo  that, 
if  found  in  an  open  place,  4they  have  no  method  of  efcaping 
from  their  purfuers.  Their  only  refource,  in  fuch  an  extremity, 
is  to  make  towards  their  hole  as  faft  as  they  can  ;  or,  if  this 
be  impracticable,  to  make  a  new  hole  before  the  enemy  ar- 
rives. For  this  they  require  but  a  very  few  moments  advan- 
tage ;  for  the  mole  itfelf  does  not  burrow  fwifter  than  they 
can.  For  this,  purpofe,  they  are  furniihed  with  claws  extremely 
large,  ftrorig,  and  crooked,  and  ufually  four  upon  each  foot. 
They  are  fometimes  caught  by  the  tail  as  they  are  making  their 
way  into  the  earth  ;  but  fuch  is  their  refiftance,  and  fo  diifi- 
it  is  to  draw  them  backward,  that  they  leave  their  tail  in 


r 

WITH   SCALES. OR    SHELLS.        309 

tlie  hand  of  their  purfuer,  and  are  very  well  contented  to  fave 
their  lives  with  its  lofs.  The  purfuers,  fenfible  of  this,  never 
drag  the  tail  with  all  their  force,  but  hold  it  while  another 
digs  the  ground  about  them,  and  thus  thefe  animals  are  taken 
alive.  The  initant  the  armadillo  perceives  itfelf  in  the  power 
of  its  enemies,  it  has  but  one  lait  refource,  to  roll  itfelf  up, 
and  thus  patiently  wait  whatever  tortures  they  think  proper 
to  innict.  The  flefh  of  the  finaller  kinds  is  faid  to  be  delicate 
eating ;  fo  that  we  may  fuppofe  they  re:ceive  no  mercy.    For 
this  reafon,  they  are  purfued  with  unceafing  induftry ;  and, 
although  they  burrow  very  deep  in  the  earth,  there  have  been 
many  expedients  ufed  to  force  them  out.  The  hunters  fome- 
times  contrive  to  fill  the  hole  with  fmoke,  which  is  often  fuc- 
cefsful ;  they  .at  other  times  force  it  by  pouring  in   water. 
They  alfo  bring  up   a   fmall  kind  of  dogs  to  the  chace,  that 
quickly  overtake  them,  if  at  any  diftance  from  their  burrow, 
and  oblige  them  to  roll  themfelves  up  in  a  ball,  in  which  fi- 
gure the  hunters  carry  them  home.  If,  however,  the  armadillo 
be  near  a  precipice,  it  often  efcapes  by  rolling  itfelf  up,  and 
then  tumbling  down  from  rock  to  rock,  without  the  leaft  dan- 
ger or  inconvenience.    They  are  fometimes  taken  in  fnares 
lakl  for  them   by  the  fides  of  rivers  and  low  moift  places, 
which  they  particularly  frequent ;  and  this  method,  in  gene- 
ral, fucceeds  better  than  any  of  the  former,  as  their  burrows 
are  very  deep,   and  they  feldom  ftir  out  except  in  the  night. 
At  no  time  are  they  found  at  any  great  diftance  from  their 
retreats,  fo  that  it  requires  fome  patience  and  {kill  to  intercept 
their  retreat. 

There  are  fcarce  any  of  thefe  that  do  not  root  the  ground, 
like  a  hog,  in  fearch  of  fuch  roots  as  make  a  principal  part 
of  their  food.  They  live  alfo  upon  melons  and  othsr  fuccu- 
lent  vegetables,  and  all  will  eat  flefh  when  they  can  get  it. 
They  frequent  water  and  watery  places,  where  they  feed  upon 
worms,  fmall  fifh,  and  watery  infects.  It  is  pretended  that 
there  is  a  kind  of  friendfhip  between  them  and  the  rattle- 
fnake,  that  they  live  peaceably  and  eommodjoufly  together, 
and  are  frequently  found  in  the  fame  hole.  This,  however, 


310  ANIMALS   OF  THE 

may  be  a  friend  (hip  of  neceffity  to  the  armadillo  ;  the  rattle-* 
fnake  takes  poffeffion  of  its  retreats,  which  neither  are  willing 
to  quit  while  each  is  incapable  of  injuring  the  other. 

As  to  the  reft,  thefe  animals,  though  they  all  refemble  each 
ether  in  the  general  character  of  being  clothed  with  a  fhell, 
yet  differ  a  good  deal  in  their  fize,  and  in  the  parts  into  which 
their  (hell  is  divided.  The  firft  of  this  kind,  which  has  but 
three  band  =  between  the  two  large  pieces  that  cover  the  back, 
is  called  the  tatu  apara.  I  will  not  enter  into  an  exacl  defcrip* 
tion  of  its  figure,  which,  how  well  written  foever,  no  ima- 
gination could  exaclly  conceive  ;  and  the  reader  would  be 
more  fatigued  to  underftand  than  I  to  write  it.  The  tail  is 
fhorter  in  this  than  any  other  kind,  being  not  more  than  two 
inches  long,  while  the  (hell,  taking  all  the  pieces  together,  is 
a  foot  long  and  eight  inches  broad.  The  fecond  is  the  tatou 
of  Ray,  or  the  encoubert  of  Buffon;  this  is  diftinguifhed  from 
the  reft  by  fix  bands  acrofs  the  back;  it  is  about  the  fize  of 
a  pig  of  a  month  old,  with  a  fmall  long  head  and  a  very  long 
tail.  The  third  is  the  tatuette,  furniflaed  with  eight  bands,  and 
not  by  a  great  deal  fo  big  as  the  former.  Its  tail  is  longer  alfo, 
and  its  legs  fhorter  in  proportion.  Its  body,  from  the  nofe  to 
the  infertion  of  the  tail,  is  about  ten  inches  long,  and  the  tail 
feven.  The  fourth  is  the  pig-headed  armadillo,  with  nine 
bands.  This  is  much  larger  than  the  former,  being  about  two 
feet  long  from  the  nofe  to  the  tail.  The  fifth  is  the  kabaflbu, 
or  cataphra£tus,  with  twelve  bands,  and  (till  bigger  than  the 
former,  or  any  other  of  its  kind.  This  is  often  found  above 
three  feet  long,  but  is  never  eaten  as  the  reft  are.  The  fixth 
is  the  weafel-headed  armadillo,  with  eighteen  bands,  with  a 
large  piece  before,  and  nothing  but  bands  backward.  This  is 
above  a  foot  long,  and  the  tail  five  inches.  Of  all  thefe,  the 
kabaflbu  and  encoubevt  are  the  largeft  ;  the  reft  are  of  a  much 
fmaller  kind.  In  the  larger  kinds,  the  (hell  is  much  more  folid 
than  in  the  others,  and  the  fldh  is  much  harder  and  unfit  for 
the  table.  Thefe  are  generally  feen  to  refide  in  dry  upland 
grounds,  while  the  fmall  fpecies  are  always  found  in  moift 
places,  and  in  the  neighbourhood  of  brooks  and  rivers.  They 


BAT    KIND.  3:* 

all  foil  themfelves  into  a  ball  ;  but  thofe  whofe  bands  arc 
feweft  in  number,  are  leafl  capable  of  covering  themfelves  up 
completely.  The  tatu  apara,  for  inftance,  when  rolled  up,  j>re- 
fents  two  great  inceritices  between  its  bands,  by  which  it  is 
very  eauiy  vulnerable,  even  by  the  feebieft  of  quadrupeds. 


CHAP.     XIV. 

Of  Animals  of  the  Bat  K!:>d. 

HAVING,  in  the  lafl  chapter,  defcribed  a  race  of  snimnls 
that  unite  the  boundaries  between  quadrupeds  and  in- 
fects, I  come  in  this  to  a  very  different  cb.fs,  that  terve  to  fill 
up  the  chafm  between  quadrupeds  and  birds.  Some  nature- 
lifts,  indeed,  have  found  animals  of  the  bat  kind  fo  much  par- 
taking of  the  nature  of  both,  that  they  have  been  at  a  lofs  in 
\vhich  rank  to  place  them,  and  have  doubted,  in  giving  the 
hiftory  of  the  bat,  whether  it  was  a  beaft  or  a  bird  they  v 
defcribing.  Thefe  doubts,  however,  no  longer  exift  ;  they  are 
now  universally  made  to  take  their  place  among  quadrupeds, 
to  which  their  bringing  forth  their  young  alive,  their  hair, 
their  teeth,  as  well  as  the  reft  of  their  habitudes  and  confor- 
mation, evidently  entitle  them.  Pliny,  Gefner,  and  Aldro- 
vandus,  who  placed  them  among  birds,  did  not  confider  that 
they  wanted  every  character  of  that  order  of  animals,  except 
the  power  of  flying.  Indeed,  when  this  animal  is  feen  with 
an  aukward  and  ftruggling  motion,  iupporting  iticlf  in 
air  at  the  duik  of  the  evening,  it  prefents,  in  feme  meafure,  the 
appearance  of  a  bird  ;  but  nnturalifts,  whofe  bufmefs  it  is  to 
examine  it  more  clofely,  to  watch  its  habitudes,  and  infpecl 
into  its  formation,  are  inexcufuble  for  concurring  in  the  mif- 
take. 

The  bat,  in  fcarce  any  particular,  refembles  the  bird,  except 
in  its  power  of  fuflaining  itfelf  in  the  |ir.  It  brings  forth  its 
young  alive  ;  it  fuckles  them  5  its  mouth  is  furnifhed  with 


ANIMALS  OF  THE 

teeth  ;  its  lungs  are  formed  like  thofe  of  quadrupeds  ;  its  in- 
teftines,  and  its  fkeleton,  have  a  complete  refemblance,  and 
eveij  are,  in  fome  meafure,  feen  to  refemble  thofe  of  mankind*. 

The  bat  mod  common  in  England,  is  about  the  fize  of  a 
moufe  ;  or  nearly  two  inches  and  a  half  long.  The  membranes 
that  are  ufually  called  wings,  are,  properly  fpeaking,  an  exten- 
fion  of  the  Ikin  all  round  the  body,  except  the  head,  which^ 
when  the  animal  flies,  is  kept  ftretched  on  every  fide,  by  the 
four  interior  toes  of  the  fore  feet,  which  are  enormoufly  long, 
and  ferve,  like  mafts,  that  keep  the  canvas  of  a  fail  fpread,  and 
regulate  its  motionsf .  The  firfl  toe  is  quite  loofe,  and  ferves 
as  a  heel  when  the  bat  walks,  or  as  a  hook,  when  it  would 
adhere  to  any  thing.  The  hind  feet  are  difcngaged  from  the 
furrounding  fkin,  and  divided  into  five  toes,  fomewhat  reiem- 
bling  thofe  of  a  moufe.  The  fkin,  by  which  it  flies,  is  of  a  dulky 
colour.  The  body  is  covered  with  a  fliort  fur,  of  a  moufe  co- 
lour, tinged  with  red.  The  eyes  are  very  fmall  j  the  ears  like 
thofe  of  a  moufe* 

This  fpecies  of  the  bat  is  very  common  in  England.  It  makes 
its  firft  appearance  early  in  fummer,  and  begins  its  flight  in 
the  dufk  of  the  evening.  It  principally  frequents  the  fides  of 
woods,  glades,  and  fhady  walks;  and  is  frequently  obferved  to 
fkim  along  the  furface  of  pieces  of  water.  It  purfues  gnats, 
moths,  and  nocturnal  infects  of  every  kind.  It  feeds  upon 
thefe  •,  but  will  not  refufe  meat,  wherever  it  can  find  it.  Its 
flight  is  a  laborious  irregular  movement ;  and  if  it  happens  to 
be  interrupted  in  its  courfe,  it  cannot  readily  prepare  for  a 
fecond  elevation  ;  fo  that,  if  it  flrikes  againft  any  object,  and 
falls  to  the  ground,  it  is  ufually  taken.  It  appears  only  in  the 
mod  pleafant  evenings,  when  its  prey  is  generally  abroad,  and 
it  flies  in  purfuit  with  its  mouth  open.  At  other  times,  it  conti- 
nues in  ics  retreat ;  the  chink  of  a  ruined  building,  or  the  hol- 
low of  a  tree.  Thus,  this  little  animal,  even  in  fummer,  fleeps 
the  greateft  part  of  its  time,  never  venturing  out  by  day-light* 
nor  in  rainy  weather ;  never  hunting  in  queit  of  prey,  but  for 

*  Peuis  Prop<&dens.  j  Briufli  Zoology. 


BAT  KIN  If- 

ft  fmall  part  of  the  night,  and  then  returning  ta  its  hole.  But 
its  fhort  life  is  ftill  more  abridged  by  continuing  in  a  torpid 
ftate  during  the  winter.  At  the  approach  of  the  cold  feafon, 
the  ba:  prepares  for  its  ftate  of  lifelefs  inactivity,  and  feems 
rather  to  choofe  a  place  where  it  may  continue  fafe  from-inter* 
ruption,  than  where  it  may  be  warmly  or  conveniently  lodged, 
For  this  reafon,  it  is  ufually  feen  hanging  by  its  hooked  claws 
to  the  roofs  of  caves,  regardlefs  of  the  eternal  damps  that  fur- 
round  it.  The  bat  feems  the  only  animal  that  will:  venture  to 
remain  in-  thefe  frightful  fubterranean  abodes,  where  it  conti- 
nues in  a  torpid  ftate,  unaffected  by  every  change  of  the  wea- 
ther. Such  of  this  kind  as  are  not  provident  enough  to  pro- 
cure themfelves  a  deep  retreat,  where  the  cold  and  neat  feldom 
vary,  are  fometimes  expofed  to  great  inconveniencies  ;  for  the 
weather  often  becomes  fo  mild  in  the  midft  of  winter,  as  to 
warm  them  prematurely  into  life,  and  to  allure  them  from  their 
holes  in  queft  of  food,  when  nature  lias  not  provided  a  fupply. 
Thefe,  therefore,  have  feldom  ftrength  to  return  ;  but,  having 
exhausted  themfelves  in  a  vain  purfuit,  after  infects  which  are 
not  to  be  found,  are  deftroyed  by  the  owl,  or  any  other  animal 
that  follows  fueh  petty  prey. 

The  bat  couples  and.  brings  forth  in  fummer,  generally  from 
two  to  five  at  a  time :  of  this  I  am  certain,  that  I  have  found 
five  young'ones  in  a  hole  together  ;  but  whether  they  were  tho 
iflue  of  one  parent,  I  cannot  tell.  The  female  has  but  two  nip- 
ples, and  thofe  forward  on  the  breaft,  as  in  the  human  kind. 
This  was  a  fufficiervt  motive  for  Linnseus  to  give  it  the  title  of 
a  primas,  to  rank  it  in  the  fame  order  with  mankind  ;•  and  to 
puili  this  contemptible  animal  among  the  chiefs  of  the  creation. 
Such  arbitrary  afibciations  produce  rather  ridicule  than  inftruc- 
tron,  and  render  even  method  contemptible  :  however,  we  are 
to  forgive  too  ftrong  an  attachment  to  fyftem  in  this  able  natu- 
ralift,  fmce  his  application  to  the  particular  hiftory  of  the  ani- 
mal, counterbalances  the  defect** 

From  Linnseus  we  learn,  that  the  female,  makes  no  neft  for 

*  Fauna  Suecia,  p,  8. 

VOL,  II,  *  & 


ANIMALS    OF  THE 

her  young,  as  Tnoft  birds  and  quadrupeds  are  known  to  do. 
She  is  barely  content  with  the  firft  hole  fhe  meets,  where,  ftick- 
-  ingherfelf  by  her  hooks  againft  the  fides  of  her  apartment,  fhe 
permits  her  young  to  hang  at  the  nipple,  and,  in  this  manner,  to 
continue  for  the  firft  .or  feeond  day.  When,  after  fome  time, 
the  dam,begins  to  grow  hungry,  and  finds  a  neceflity  of  furring 
abroad,  (he  takes  her  little  ones  and  flicks  them  to  the  wall,  in 
the  manner  fhe  before  hung  herfelf ;  there  they  immoveably 
cling,  and  patiently  wait  till  her  return. 

Thus  far  this  animal  feems  clofely  allied  to  the  quadru- 
ped race.  Its  fimilitude  to  that  of  birds  is  lefs  ftriking.  As  na- 
ture has  furnifhed  birds  with  extremely  ftrong  pectoral  muf- 
cles,  to  move  the  wings  and  direct  their  flight,  fo  has  it  alfo 
furnifhed  this  animal.  As  birds  alfo  have  their  legs  weak,  and 
unfit  for  the  pirpofes  of  motion,  the  bat  has  its  legs  fafhioned 
in  the  fame  manner,  and  is  never  feen  to  walk,  or,  more  pro- 
perly fpeaking,  to  pufh  itfelf  forward  with  its  hind  legs,  but  in 
cafes  of  extreme  neceflity.  The  toes  of  the  fore  legs,  or,  if  we 
may  ufe  the  expreflkm,  its  extremely  long  fingers,  extend  the 
web  like  a  membrane  that  lies  between  them;  and  this,  which 
is  extremely  thin,  ferves  to  lift  the  little  body  into  the  air :  in 
this  manner,  by  an  unceafing  percufiion,  much  fwifter  than 
that  of  birds,  the  animal  continues,  and  directs  its  flight;  how- 
ever, the  great  labour  required  in  flying,  foon  fatigues  it;  for, 
unlike  birds,  which  continue  for  days  together  upon  the  wing, 
the  bat  is  tired  in  lefs  than  an  hour,  and  then  returns  to  its  hole, 
fatisfied  with  its  fnpply,  to  enjoy  the  darknefs  of  its  retreat. 

If  we  confider  the  bat  as  it  is  feen  in  our  own  country,  we 
fliall  find  it  a  harmlefs,  inoflenfive  creature.  It  is  true,  that  it 
now  and  then  fteals  into  a  larder,  and,  like  a  moufe,  commits 
its  petty  thefts  upon  the  fatteft  parts  of  the  bacon.  But  this 
happens  feldom;  the  general  tenor  of  its  induftry  is  employed 
in  purfuing  infects  that  are  much  more  noxious  to  us  than  it- 
felf can  poffibly  be;  while  its  evening  flight,  and  its  unfteady 
wabbling  motion,  amufe  the  imagination,  and  add  one  figure- 
more  to  the  pleating  group  of  animated  nature. 


BAT  KIND.  515 

The  varieties  of  this  animal,  efpecially  in  our  country,  are 
but  fe\v ;  and  the  differences  fcarce  worth  enumeration.  Na- 
turalifts  mention  the  long-ear'd  bat,  much  lefs  than  that  gene- 
rally feen,  and  with  much  longer  ears :  the  horfe-fhoe  bat, 
with  an  odd  protuberance  round  its*upper  lip,  fomewhat  in 
the  form  of  a  horfe-fhoe  ;  the  rhinoceros  bat,  with  a  horn 
growing  from  the  nofe,  fomewhat  fimilar  to  that  animal  from 
whence  it  has  the  name.  Thefe,  with  feveral  others,  whofe  va- 
rieties are  too  numerous,  and  differences  too  minute  for  a  de- 
tail, are  all  inoffenfive,  minute,  and  contemptible ;  incapable, 
from  their  fize,  of  injuring  mankind,  and  not  fufficiently  nu- 
merous much  to  incommode  him.  But  there  is  a  larger  race  of 
bats,  found  in  the  Eaft  and  Weft-Indies,  that  are  truly  formi- 
dable ;  each  ofthefe  is  fmgly  a  dangerous  enemy;  but  when 
they  unite  in  flocks,  they  then  become  dreadful.  Were  the 
inhabitants  of  the  African  coafts*,  fays  Des  Marchais,  to  eat 
animals  of  the  bat  kind,  as  they  do  in  the  Haft-Indies,  they 
would  never  want  a  fupply  of  provifions.  They  are  there  in 
fuch  numbers,  that  when  they  fly,  they  obfcure  the  fetting  fun. 
In  the  morning,  at  peep  of  day,  they  are  feen  (licking  upon  the 
tops  of  the  trees,  and  clinging  to  each  other,  like  bees  when 
they  fwarm,  or  like  large  clufters  of  cocoa.  '1  he  Europeans  of- 
ten amufe  themfelves  wich  mooting  among  this  huge  mafs  of 
living  creatures,  and  obferving  their  embarraflment  when 
wounded.  They  fometimes  enter  the  houfes,  and  the  Negroes 
are  expert  at  killing  them;  but,  although  thefe  people  feem  for- 
ever hungry,  yet  they  regard  the  bat  with  horror,  and  will  not 
eat  it,  though  ready  to  ftarve. 

Of  foreign  bats,  the  largeft  we  have  any  certain  accounts  of, 
is  the  roufette,  or  the  great  bat  of  Madagafcar.  This  formida- 
ble creature  is  near  four  feet  broad,  when  the  wings  are  ex- 
tended ;  and  a  foot  long,  from  the  tip  of  the  nofe  to  the  infer-' 
tion  of  the  tail.  It  refembles  our  bat  in  the  form  of  its  wings, 
in  its  manner  of  flying,  and  in  its  internal  conformation.  It 
differs  from  it  in  its  enormous  fize  j  in  its  colour,  which  is 

*  Des  Marchais,  vol.  ii,  p.  308. 


ANIMALS   OF  THE 

red,  like  that  of  a  fox  j  in  its  head  and  nofe  alfo,  which  refenw 
tie  thofe  of  that  animal,  and  which  have  induced  fornc  to  call 
k  the  flying  fox:  it  differs  alfo  in  the  number  of  its  teeth ;  an4 
in  having  a  claw  on  the  fore  foot,  which  is  wanting  in  ours. 
This  formidable  creature  is  found  only  in  the  ancient  conti- 
nent; particularly  in  Madagafcar,  along  the  coafls  of  Africa  and 
Malabar,  where  it  is  ufually  feen  about  the  fize  of  a  large  hen, 
When  they  repofe,  they  (lick  themfelves  to  the  tops  of  the  taU 
left  trees,  and  hang  with  their  heads  downward.  But  when 
they  are  in  motion,  nothing  can  be  more  formidable  :  they  are 
feen  in  clouds,  darkening  the  air,  as  well  by  clay  as  by  night, 
jdeftroying  the  ripe  fruits  of  the  country,  and  fometimes  fettling 
upon  animals,  and  man  himfelf :  they  devour,  indifcrirninately, 
fruits,  flefli,  and  infects,  and  drink  the  juice  of  the  palm-tree  ; 
they  are  heard  at  night  in  the  forefts  at  more  than  two  miles 
<diftance3  with  a  horrible  din  ;  but  at  the  approach  of  day,  they 
ufually  begin  to  retire:  nothing  is  fafe  from  their  depredations; 
they  deftroy  fowls  and  domeftic  animals,  unlefs  preferred  with 
the  utmoft  care,  and  often  faften  upon  the  inhabitants  them- 
felves, attack  them  in  the  face,  and  inflict  very  terrible  wounds. 
In  fhort,  as  fome  have  already  obferved,  the  ancients  feem  to 
have  taken  their  idea  of  harpies  from  thefe  fierce  and  voraci- 
ous creatures,  as  they  both  concur  in  many  parts  of  the  defcrip, 
tion,  being  equally  deformed,  greedy,  uncleanly,  and  cruel. 

An  animal  not  fo  formidable,  but  ftill  more  mifchievous 
than  thefe,  is  the  American  vampyre.  This  is  lefs  than  the 
former;  but  more  deformed,  and  ftill  more  numerous.  It  is 
furnifhed  with  a  horn  like  the  rhinoceros  bat ;  and  its  ears  arc 
extremely  long.  The  other  kinds  generally  refort  to  the  foreft, 
•and  the  moft  deferted  places  ;  but  thefe  come  jnto  towns  an4 
cities,  and,  after  fun-fet,  when  they  begin  to  fly,  cover  the 
ilreets  like  a  canopy*.  They  are  the  common  peft  both  of  men 
$nd  animals  ;  they  effectually  deftroy  the  one,  and  often  dif- 
trefs  the  other.  "  Truey  are,7'  fays  Ulloa,  «  the  moft  expert 
fcjpod-letters  in  the  world.  The  inhabitants  of  thofe  warm  hr 

f  Ulloa,  vol.  i.  p.  jS. 


BAT   KIND.  317 

titudes  being  obliged,  by  the  exceflive  heats,  to  leave  open  the 
doors  and  windows  of  the  chambers  where  they  fleep,  the  vam- 
pyres  enter,  and  if  they  find  any  part  of  the  body  expofed,  they 
never  fail  to  fallen  upon  it.  There  they  continue  to  fuck  the 
blood  ;  and  it  often  happens  that  the  perfon  dies  under  the 
operation.  They  infmuate  their  tooth  into  a  vein,  with  all  the 
art  of  the  moll  experienced  furgeon,  continuing  to  exhauft  the 
body,  until  they  are  fatiated.  I  have  been  allured,"  continues 
he,  "  by  perfons  of  the  ftricteit  veracity,  that  fuch  an  accident 
has  happened  to  them  ;  and  that,  had  they  not  providentially 
awaked,  their  fleep  would  have  been  their  paflage  into  eternity; 
having  loft  fo  large  a  quantity  of  blood  as  hardly  to  find 
Strength  to  bind  up  the  orifice.  The  reafon  why  the  puncture, 
is  not  felt  is,  befides  the  great  precaution  with  which  it  is  made, 
the  gentle  refrefhing  agitation  of  the  bat's  wings,  which  con* 
tribute  to  increafe  fleep,  and  foften  the  pain." 

The  purport  of  this  account  has  been  confirmed  by  various 
other  travellers;  who  all  agree,  that  this  bat  is  poflefled  of  a  fa- 
culty of  drawing  the  blood  from  perfons  fleeping  j  and  thus  of- 
ten deftroying  them  before  they  awake.  But  ftill  a  very  ftrong 
difficulty  remains  to  be  accounted  for  ;  the  manner  in  which 
they  inflict  the  wound.  Ulloa,  as  has  been  feen,  fuppofes  that 
it  is  done  by  a  fingle  tooth  ;  but  this  we  know  to  be  impolfible, 
fmce  the  animal  cannot  infix  one  tooth  without  all  the  reft  ac- 
companying its  motions  ;  the  teeth  of  the  bat-kind  being  pretty- 
even,  and  the  mouth  but  fmall,  Mr.  Buftbn,  therefore,  fup- 
pofes the  wound  to  be  inflicted  by  the  tongue  ;  which,  howe- 
ver, appears  to  me  too  large  to  inflict  an  unpainful  wound ; 
and  even  lefs  qualified  for  that  purpofe  than  the  teeth.  Nor  can 
the  tongue,  as  mr.  Buffon  feems  to  fuppofe,  ferve  for  the  pur- 
pofes  of  fu£tion,  fmce  for  this  it  muft  be  hollow,  like  a  fyringe, 
which  it  is  not  found  to  be.  I  mould  therefore,  fuppofe,  that 
the  animal  is  endowed  with  a  ftrong  power  of  fuel  ion  •,  and 
that,  without  inflicting  any  wound  whatfoever,  by  continuing 
to  draw,  it  enlarges  the  pores  of  the  ikin  in  fuch  a  manner,  that 
the  blood  at  length  pafles,  and  that  more  freely,  the  longer  the 
operation  is  continued  ^  fo  that,  a£  lafl,  when  the  bat  goes  o$j 


3i8  AMPHIBIOUS 

the  blood  continues  tofio\v.  In  confirmation  of  this  opinion,  w£ 
are  told,  that  where  beafts  have  a  thick  fkin,  this  animal  cannot 
injure  them  ;  whereas,  in  horfes,  mules,  and  afles,  they  are  ve- 
ry liable  to  be  thus  deftroyed.  As  to  the  reft,  thefe  animals  are 
confidered  as  one  of  the  great  pelts  of  South-America  •,  and  often 
prevent  the  peopling  of  many  parts  of  that  continent :  having 
deftroyed  at  Barja,  and  feveral  other  places,  fuch  cattle  as 
were  brought  there  by  the  miffionaries,  in  order  to  form  a  fet- 
tlement. 


CHAP...     XV. 

Of  Amphibious  Quadrupeds. 

*  H  ^HE  gradations  of  nature  from  one  clafs  of  beings  to  ano- 
JL  ther,  are  made  by  imperceptible  deviations.  As  we  law 
in  the  foregoing  chapters,  quadrupeds  almofl  degraded  into 
tlie  infecl:  tribe,  or  mounted  among  the  inhabitants  of  the  air, 
\ve  are  at  prefent  to  obferve  their  approach  to  fifhes,  to  trace 
the  degree%by  which  they  become  more  unlike  terreftrial  ani- 
mals, till  the  fimilitude  of  the  fifh  prevails  over  that  of  the 
quadruped. 

As  in  oppofite  armies,  the  two  bodies  are  diftind,  and  fepa- 
rated  from  each  other,  while  yet  between  them  are  various 
trorps  that  plunder  on  both  fides,  and  are  friends  to  neither, 
{  I'-jtween  terreftrial  and  aquatic  animals,  there  are  tribes  that 
<  ,  iVaiTC  l  j  referred  to  any  rank,  but  lead  an  amphibious 
!  :  between  them.  Sometimes  in  water,  fometimes  on  land, 
they  feem  fitted  for  each  element,  and  yet  completely  adapted 
lo  neither.  Wanting  the  agility  of  quadrupeds  upon  land, 
and  the  perfeverance  of  fifties  in  the  deep,  the  variety  of  their 
powers  only  feems  to  diminifh  their  force ;  and,  though  pofTef- 
fcd  of  two  different  methods  of  living,  they  are  more  inconve- 
niently provided  than  fuch  as  have  but  one. 

All  quadrupeds  of  this  kind,  though  covered  with  hair  in 


QJTADRUPEDS.  319 

the  ufual  manner,  are  furnifhed  with  membranes  between  the 
toes,  which  afiift  their  motion  in  the  water.  Their  paws  are 
broad  and  their  legs  fhort,  by  which  they  are  more  completely 
fitted  for  fwimming  ;  for,  taking  fhort  ftrokes  at  a  time,  they 
make  them  oftener  and  with  greater  rapidity.  Some,  however,  of 
thefc  animals,  are  more  adapted  to  live  in  the  water  than  others; 
but,  as  their  power  increafes  to  live  in  the  deep,  their  unfit?-, 
nefs  for  living  upon  land  increaies-  in  the  fame  proportion. 
Some,  like  the  otter,  refemble  quadrupeds  in  every  thing,  ex- 
cept in  being,  in  fome  meafure,  web-footed^  others  depart  flill 
further,  in  being,  like  the  beaver,  not  only  web-footed,  but 
having  the  tail  covered  with  fcales,  like  thofe  of  a  fiih.  Others 
depart  yet  farther,  as  the  feal  and  the  morfe,  by  having  the 
hind  feet  (luck  to  the  body  like  fins  ;  and  others,  as  the  lamen- 
tin,  almoft  entirely  refemble  fifties,  by  having  no  hind  feet 
whatfoever.  Such  are  the  gradations  of  the  amphibious  tribe. 
They  all,  however,  get  their  living  in  the  water,  either  by  ha- 
bit or  conformation ;  they  all  continue  a  long  time  under  wa- 
ter ;  they  all  confider  that  element  as  their  proper  abode;  when- 
ever prefled  by  danger,  they  fly  to  the  water  for  fecurity  ;  and, 
when  upon  hnd,  appear  watchful,  timorous,  and  unwieldy. 

In  the  firft  flep  of  the  progreflion  from  land  to  amphibious 
animals,  we  find  the  otter  refembling  thofe  of  the  terreflrial 
kind,  in  fhape,  hair,  and  internal  conformation;  refembling  the 
aquatic  tribes  in  its  manner  of  living,  and  in  having  membranes 
between  the  toes  to  afiiit  it  in  fwimming.  From  this  peculiar 
make  of  its  feet,  which  are  very  fhort,  it  fwims  even  fafter  than 
it  runs,  and  can  overtake  fifties  in  their  own  element.  The  co- 
lour of  this  animal  is  brown  ;  and  it  is  fomewhat  of  the  fhape 
of  an  overgrown  weafel,  being  long,  (lender,  and  fofc  fkinned. 
However,  if  we  examine  its  figure  in  detail,  we  fhall  find  it 
unlike  any  other  animal  heretofore  dcfcribed,  and  of  fuch  a 
fhape  as  words  can  but  weakly  convey.  Its  ufual  length  is  about 
two  feet  long,  from  the  tip  of  the  nofe  to  the  infertion  of  the 
tail ;  the  head  and  nofe  are  broad  and  flat ;  the  mouth  bears 
force  fimilitude  to  that  of  a  fiih;  the  iieck  is  fhort,  and  equ. 
thicknefs  to  the  head ;  the  body  long  ;  the  tail  broad  at  th<.* 


3*4?  AMPHIBIOUS 

fertion,  but  tapering  off  to  a  point  at  the  end  ;  the  eyes  are  ve* 
ry  final],  and  placed  nearer  the  nofe  than  ufual  in  quadrupeds. 
The  legs  are  very  fhort,  but  remarkably  ftrongy  broad,  and  muf- 
cular.  The  joints  are  articulated  fo  loofely,  that  the  animal  is  ca- 
pable of  turning  them  quite  back,  and  bringing  them  on  a  line 
with  the  body,  fo  as  to  perform  the  office  of  fins.  Each  foot  is 
furnifhed  with  five  toes,  connected  by  ftrong  broad  webs  like 
thofe  of  water-fowl.  Thus  nature,  in  every  part,  has  had  at- 
tention to  the  life  of  an  animal  whofe  food  is  fifti,  and  whofe 
haunts  muft  neceflarily  be  about  water* 

This  voracious  animal  is  never  found  but  at  the  fides  of 
Jakes  and  rivers,  but  particularly  the  former,  for  it  is  feldont 
fond  of  fifliing  in  a  running  ftream,  for  the  current  pf  the  water 
having  more  power  upon  it  than  the  fifties  it  purfues,  if  it  hunts 
againft  the  ftream,  it  fwirns  too  flow  ;  and  if  with  the  ftream, 
it  overfhoots  its  prey.  However,  when  in  rivers,  it  is  always 
obferved  to  fwim  againft  the  ftream,  and  to  meet  the  fifties  it 
preys  upon,  rather  than  to  purfue  them.  In  lakes,  it  deftroys 
much  more  than  it  devours,  and  is  often  feen  fo  fpoil  a  pond  in 
the  fpace  of  a  few  nights.  But  the  damage  they  do  by  deftroy- 
ing  fifh,  is  not  fo  great  as  their  tearing  in  pieces  the  nets  of  the 
fifhers,  which  they  infallibly  do,  whenever  they  happen  to  be 
entangled.  The  inftant  they  find  themfelves  caught,  they  go 
to  work  with  their  teeth,  and,  in  a  few  minutes,  deftroy  nets  of 
a  confiderable  value. 

The  otter  has  two  different  methods  of  fifhing  ;  the  one  by 
catching  its  prey  from  the  bottom  upward,  the  other  by  pur- 
fuing  it  into  fome  little  creek,  and  feizing  it  there.  In  the  for- 
mer cafe,  as  this  animal  has  longer  lungs  than  moft  other 
quadrupeds,  upon  taking  in  a  quantity  of  air,  it  can  remain 
for  fome  minutes  at  the  bottom;  and  whatever  fifli  pafles 
over  at  that  time,  is  certainly  taken;  for,  as  the  eyes  of  fiih  are 
placed  fo  as  not  to  fee  under  them,  the  otter  attacks  them  off 
their  guard  from  below ;  and,  feizmg  them  at  once  by  the 
belly,  drags  them  on  fhore,  where  it  often  leaves  them  un- 
touched to  continue  the  purfuit  for  hours  together.  The  other 
taethod  is  chiefly  pra&ifed  in  lakes  and  ponds,  where  there  is 


QUADRUPEDS.  321 

•no  current :  the  fifti  thus  taken,  are  rather  of  the  fmaller  kind, 
for  the  great  ones  will  never  be  driven  out  of  deep  water. 

In  this  manner  the  otter  ufually  lives  during  the  fummer, 
being  furnifhed  with  a  fupply  much  greater  than  its  confump- 
tion  ;  kiting  for  its  amufement  and  infecting  the  edges  of  the 
lake  with  quantities  of  dead  fiih,  which  it  leaves  there  as  tro- 
phies rather  of  its  victory  than  its  neceffities.  But  in  winter, 
when  the  lakes  are  frozen  over,  and  the  rivers  pour  with  a 
rapid  torrent,  the  otter  is  often  greatly  diftrefled  for  provifions-, 
and  is  then  obliged  to  live  upon  grafs,  weeds,  and  even  the 
bark  of  trees.  It  then  comes  upon  land,  and,  grown  courage- 
ous from  neceffity,  feeds  upon  terreftrial  animals,  rats,  infects,, 
and  even  (heep  themfelves.  Nature,  however,  has  given  it  the 
power  of  continuing  a  long  time  without  food  ;  and,  although 
during  that  feafon  it^is  not  rendered  quite  torpid,  like  the  mar- 
mout  or  the  dormoufe,  yet  it  keeps  much  more  within  its 
retreat,  which  is  ufually  the  hollow  of  a  bank  worn  under  by 
the  water.  There  it  often  forms  a  kind  of  gallery,  running  for 
federal  yards  along  the  edge  of  the  water  ;  fo  that  when  at- 
tacked at  one  end,  it  flies  to  the  other,  and  often  evades  the 
fowler  by  plunging  into  the  water  at  forty  or  fifty  paces  dif- 
tance,  while  he  expects  to  find  it  jufl  before  him. 

We  learn  from  mr.  Buffon,  that  this  snimal,  in  France, 
couples  in  winter,  and  brings  forth  in  the  beginning  of  fpring. 
But  it  is  certainly  different  with  us,  for  its  young  are  never 
found  till  the  latter  end  of  fummer ;  and  I  have  frequently 
when  a  boy,  difcovered  their  retreats,  and  purfued  them  at 
that  feafon.  I  am,  therefore,  more  inclined  to  follow  the  ac- 
count given  us  of  this  animal  by  mr.  Lots,  of  the  academy  of 
Stockholm,  who  aflures  us  that  it  couples  about  the  middle  of 
fummer,  and  brings  forth,  at  the  end  of  nine  weeks,  generally 
three  or  four  at  a  time.  This,  as  well  as  the  generality  of  his 
other  remarks  on  this  fubjecl,  agrees  fo  exactly  with  what  I 
remember  concerning  it,  that  I  will  beg  leave  to  take  him  for 
my  guide,  afluring  the  reader,  that  however  extraordinary  the 
account  may  feem,  I  know  it  to  be  certainly  true. 

VOL.  II.  2  S 


322  AMPHIBIOUS 

In  the  rivers  and  the  Jakes  frequented  by  the  otter,  the  bot- 
tom is  generally  {tony  and  uneven,  with  many  trunks  of  trees, 
and  long  foots  itretching  underneath  the  water*.  The  more 
aifo  is  hollow  and  fcooped  inward  by  the  waves.  Thefe  are  the 
places  the  otter  chiefly  choofes  for  its  retreat ;  arid  there  is 
fcarce  a  ftone  which  does  not  bear  the  mark  of  its  refidcnce, 
•as  upon  them  its  excrements  are  always  made.  It  is  chieily 
by  this  mark  that  its  lurking  places  are  known,  as  well  as  by 
•  the  quantity  of  dead  fiih  that  are  found  lying  here  and  there 
upon  the  banks  of  the  water.  To  take  the  old  olies  alive  is  no 
eafy  talk,  as  they  are  extremely  ftrong,  and  there  are  few  dogs 
that  will  dare  to  encounter  them.  They  bite  with  great  ilerce- 
"iiefs,  and  never  let  go  their  hold  when  once  fattened.  The  bed 
way,  therefore,  is  to  moot  them  at  once,  as  they  never  will  be 
"thoroughly  tamed  ;  and,  if  kept  for  the  purpofes  of  fifhing,  are 
always  apt  to  take  the  fir  ft  opportunity  of  efcaping.  But  the 
young  ones  may  be  more  eafily  taken  and  converted  to  very  uie- 
ful  purpofes.  The  otter  brings  forth  its  young  generally  under 
the  hollow  banks,  upon  a  bed  of  ruihes,  flags,  or  fuch  weeds 
as  the  place  aiTords  it  in  greateft  quantities.  I  lee,  in  the  Brkifti 
Zoolotry,  a  defcription  of  its  habitation.;  where  the  naturalift 
obferves,  "  that  k  burrows  under  ground,  on  the  banks  of 
fome  river  or  lake,  and  always  makes  the  entrance  of  its  hole 
under  water,  then  works  up  to  the  furface  of  the  earth,  and 
there  makes  a  minute  orifice  for  the  admillion  of  air  ;  and  this 
little  air-hole  is  often  found  in  the  middle  of  fome  thicket." 
In  fome  places,  this  may  be  true,  but  I  have  never  obferved  any 
fuch  contrivance  ;  the  retreat,  indeed,  was  always  at  the  edge 
of  the  water,  but  it  was  only  flickered  by  the  impending  bank, 
and  the  otter  itfelf  feemed  to  have  but  a  fmall  mare  in  its  for- 
mation. -But  be  this  as  it  may,  the  young  ones  are  always 
found  at  the  edge  of  the  water  ;  and,  if  under  the  protection 
of  the  dam,  flie  teaches  them  inftantly  to  plunge,  like  herfelf, 
into  the  deep,  and  escape  among  the  ruihes  or  weeds  that 
fringe  the  ilream.  At  fuch  times,  therefore,  it  is  very  difficult 
to  take  them-,  for,  though  never  fo  young,  they  fwim  with  great 
*  Journal  Etranger,  Juln,  175?,  p.  14, 


QJJADRUTEDS.  323 

rapidity,  and  in  fuch  a  manner  that  no  part  of  them  is  feen 
above  water,  except  the  tip  of  the  nofe.  It  is  only  when  the 
dam-  is  abfent  that  they  can  be  taken  ;  and  in  fome  places, 
there  are  dogs  purpofely  trained  for  difcovering  their  retreats. 
Whenever  the  dog  comes  to  the  place,  he  foon,  by  his  barking, 
Ihows  that  the  otter  is  there;  which,  if  there  be  an  old  one, 
inftantly  plunges  into  the  water,  and  the  young  all  follow.. 
But  if  the  old  one  be  abfent,  they  continue  terrified,  and  will 
not  venture  forth  but  unde?  her  guidance  and  protection.  lit 
this  manner,  they  are  fecured  and  taken  home  alive,  where 
they  are  carefully  fed  with  fmall  fifli  and  water.  In  propor- 
tion, however,  as  they  gather  flrength,  they  have  milk  mixed 
among  their  food,  the  quantity  of  fifh  is-  retrenched,  and  that 
of  vegetables  is  increafed,  until  at  length  they  are  fed  wholly 
upon  bread,  which  perfectly  agrees  with  their  conftitution. 
The  manner,  of  training  them  up  to  hunt  for  fifh,  requires  not 
only  aiBduity  but  patience  ;  however,  their  activity  and  ufe, 
when  taught,  greatly  repays  the  trouble  of  teaching  ;  and; 
perhaps,  no  other  animal  is  more  beneficial  to  his  mafler.  The 
ufual  way  is,  firft  to  learn  them  to  fetch  as  dogs  are  inftruc- 
ted  ;  but,  as  they  have  not  the  fame  docility,  fo  it  requires 
more  art  and  experience  to  teach  them.  It  is  ufually  perform- 
ed by  accuftoming  them  to  take  a  trufs  fluffed  with  wool,  of 
the  fhape.  of.  a  fim,  and  made  of  leather,  in  their  mouths,  and 
to  drop  it  at  the  word  of  command  \.  to  run  after  it  when, 
thrown  forward,  and  to  bring  it  to  their  mafter.  From  this 
they  proceed  to  real  fifh,  which  are.  thrown,  dead  into  the  wa«* 
ter,  and  which  they  are  taught  to  bring  from  thence.  From 
the  dead  they  proceed,  to  the  live,  until,  at  laft,  the.  animal  is- 
perfectly  inftructed  in  the  whole  art  of  fifhing.  An  otter  thus* 
taught  is  a  very  valuable  animal,  and  will  catch  fifh  enough 
to  fuflam  not  only  itfelf  but  a  whole  family..  I  have  fe.en  one 
of  thefe  go  to  a  gentleman's  pond  at  the  word  of  command, 
drive  up  the  fifh  into  a  corner,  and,  feizing  upon  the  largeft. 
of  the  whole,  bring  it  off,  in  its  mouth,  to  its  mafter.. 

Otters  are  to  be  met  with  in  moft  parts  of  the  world,  and 
rather  differ  in  fize  and  colour  fron>  each  other,  than  in  habi- 


324  AMPHIBIOUS 

tudes  or  conformation*.  In  North- America  and  Carolina,  they 
are  ufually  found  white,  inclining  to  yellow.  The  Brafilian 
otter  is  much  larger  than  ours,  with  a  round ifh  head,  almoft 
like  a  cat.  The  tail  is  fhorter,  being  but  five  inches  long  j  and 
the  hair  is  foft,  fhort,  and  black,  except  on  the  head,  where  it 
is  of  a  dark  brown,  with  a  yellowiih  fpot  under  the  throat* 


THE    BEAVER. 

In  all  countries,  as  man  is  civilized  and  improved,  the  lower 
ranks  of  animals  are  reprefied  and  degradedf .  Either  reduced 
to  fervitude,  or  treated  as  rebels,  all  their  focieties  are  dhTolved, 
and  all  their  united  talents  rendered  ineffectual.  Their  feeble 
arts  quickly  difappear,  and  nothing  remains  but  their  folitary 
inftincts,  or  thofe  foreign  habitudes  which  they  receive  from 
human  education.  For  this  reafon,  there  remain  no  traces  of 
their  ancient  talents  and  induftry,  except  in  thofe  countries 
where  man  himfelf  is  a  ftranger  ;  where,  unvifited  by  his  con- 
troling  power,  for  a  long  fucceflion  of  ages,  their  little  talents 
have  had  time  to  come  to  their  limited  perfection,  and  their 
common  defigns  have  been  capable  of  being  united. 

The  beaver  feems  to  be  now  the  only  remaining  monument 
of  brutal  fociety.  From  the  refult  of  its  labours,  which  are  itill 
to  be  feen  in  the  remote  parts  of  America,  we  learn  how  fat 
inftinft  can  be  aided  by  imitation.  We  from  thence  perceive 
to  what  a  degree  animals,  without  language  or  reafon,  can  con- 
cur for  their  mutual  advantage,  and  attain  by  numbers  thofe 
advantages  which  each,  in  a  date  of  folitude,  feems  unfitted  to 
pofTefs. 

If  we  examine  the  beaver  merely  as  an  individual,  and  un- 
connected with  others  of  its  kind,  we  (hall  find  many  other 
quadrupeds  to  exceed  it  in  cunning,  and  almoft  all  in  the 
powers  of  annoyance  and  defence.  The  beaver,  when  taken 
from  its  fellows,  and  kept  in  a  ftate  of  folitude  or  domeftic 

•  Ray.       f 


QJJADRUPEDS.  325 

tamenefs,  appears  to  be  a  mild  gentle  creature,  familiar 
enough,  but  fomewhat  dull,  and  even  melancholy  ;  without 
any  violent  pafiionsor  vehement  appetites,  moving  but  feldom, 
making  no  efforts  to  attain  any  good,  except  in  gnawing  the 
wall  of  its  prifon,  in  order  to  regain  its  freedom  ;  yet  this,  how- 
ever, \vithout  anger  or  precipitation,  but  calm  and  indifferent 
to  all  about  without  attachment  or  antipathies,  neither  feek- 
ing  to  offend  nor  defiring  to  pleafe.  It  appears  inferior  to  the 
«iog  in  thofe  qualities  which  render  animals  of  fervice  to  man  ; 
it  feems  made  neither  to  ferve,  to  command,  nor  to  have  con- 
nections with  any  ether  fet  of  beings,  a,nd  is  only  adapted  for 
living  among  its  kind.  Its  talents  are  entirely  reprefled  in 
folitude,  and  are  only  brought  out  by  fociety.  When  alone,  it 
has  but  little  induftry,  few  tricks,  and  without  cunning  fuffi- 
cient  to  guard  it  againft  the  moft  obvious  and  bungling  fnares 
laid  for  it  by  the  hunter.  Far  from  attacking  any  other  animal, 
it  is  fcarce  poflefled  of  the  arts  of  defence.  Preferring  flight  to 
combat,  like  all  wild  animals,  it  only  refills  when  driven  to 
an  extremity,  and  fights  only  then,  when  its  fpeed  can  no 
longer  avail. 

But  this  animal  is  rather  more  remarkable  for  the  fmgu- 
larity  of  its  conformation  than  any  intellectual  fuperiorities  it 
may  be  fuppofed,  in  a  ftate  of  folitude,  to  poiTefs.  The  beaver 
is  the  only  creature  among  quadrupeds  that  has  .a  flat  broad 
tail,  covered  with  fcales,  which  ferves  as  a  rudder  to  direcl;  its 
motions  in  the  water.  It  is  the  fole  quadruped  that  has  mem- 
branes between  the  toes  on  the  hind-feet  only,  and  none 
on  the  fore-feet,  which  fupply  the  place  of  hands,  as  in  the 
fquirrel.  In  fhort,  it  is  the  only  animal  that  In  its  fore  parts 
entirely  refembles  a  quadruped,  and  in  its  hinder  parts  feems 
to  approach  the  nature  of  filhes,  by  having  a  fc?Jy  tail.  In 
other  refpe£h,  it  is  about  two  feet  long,  and  near  one  foot 
high  ;  it  is  fomewhat  fhaped  like  a  rat,  except  the  tail,  which, 
as  has  been  obferved,  is  flat  and  fcaly,  fomewhat  refcmbling  a 
neat's  tongue  at  the  point.  Its  colour  is  of  a  light  brown  j  the 
hair  of  two  forts  ;  the  one  longer  and  coarfer ;  the  other,  foft, 
fine,  ihort,  and  filky.  The  teeth  are  like  thofe  of  a  rat  or  a  fquir- 


3*6  AMPHIBIOUS 

rel,  but  longer  and  ftronger,  arid  admirably  Adapted  to  cutting1 
timber  or  {tripping  bark,  to  which  purpofes  they  are  conftantly 
applied.  One  fmgularity  rrrore  may  be  mentioned  in  its  con- 
formation ;  which  is,  that,  like  birds,  it  has  but  one  and  the 
fame  vent  for  the  emifiion  of  its  excrements  and  its  urine,  a 
ftrange  peculiarity,  but  which  anatomifts  leave  us  no  room  to 
doubt  of» 

The  beavers  begin  to  aflemble  about  the  months  of  June 
and  July,  to  form  a  fociety  that  is  to  continue  for  the  greatefl 
part  of  the  year.  They  arrive  in  numbers  from  every  fide,  and 
generally  form  a  company  ©f  above  two  hundred.  The  place 
of  meeting  is  commonly  the  place  were  they  fix  their  abode, 
snd  this  is  always  by  the  fide  of  Tome  lake  or  river.  If  it  be  a  lake 
in  which  the  waters  are  always  upon  a  level,  they  difpenfe 
•with  building  a  dam  ;  but  if  it  be  a  running  dream,  which  is 
ftibjeel  to  floods  and  falls,  they  then  fet  about  building  a  dam, 
cr  pier,  that  crofles  the  river,  fo  that  it  forms  a  dead  water  in 
that  part  which  lies  above  and  below.  This  dam,  cr  pier,  is 
often  four-fcore  or  a  hundred  feet  long,  arid  ten  or  twelve 
feet  thick  at  the  bafe.  If  we  compare  the  greatnefs  of  the  work 
with  the  powers  of  the  architccl:,  it  will  appear  enormous  ; 
but  the  folidity  with  which  it  is  built,  is  ftill  more  aflonifhiiig 
than  its  fize.  The  part  of  the  river  over  which  this  dam  is 
ufually  built,  is  where  it  is  moft  mallow,  and  were  fome  great 
tree  is  found  growing  by  the  fide  of  the  ft  ream*  This  they 
pitch  upon  as  proper  for  making  the  principal  part  in  their 
building  ;,  and,  although  it  is  often-  thicker  than  a  man's  body, 
they  inftamly  fet  about  cutting  it  down.  For  this  operation, 
they  have  no  other  mftrument  but  their  teeth,  which  foon  lay 
it  level,  and  that  alfo  en  the  fide  they  wifii  it  to  fall,  which  is 
always  acrofs  the  ftreatn.  They  then  fall  about  cutting  off  the 
top  branches,  to  make  it  lie  clofe  and  even,  and  ferve  as  the 
principal  beam  cf  their  fabric*. 

This  dyke,  or  caufey,    is  fom.e times  ten,   and  fometimes, 
twelve  feet  thick  at  the  foundation.    It  defcends  in  a  declivity 

*  Spectacle  clc-Ia  Nature* 


QUADRUPEDS.  3-7 

or  Hope,  on  that  fide  next  the  water,  which  gravitates  upon  the 
work  in  proportion  to  the  height,  and  preiTes  it  with  a  prodi- 
gious force  towards  the  earth.  The  oppofite  tide  is  ere6\ed 
perpendicular  like  our  walls;  and  that  declivity,  which,  at  the 
bottom,  or  bafis,  is  about  twelve  feet  broad,  diminiflies  towards 
*he  top,  where  it  is  no  more  than  two  feet  broad,  or  therea- 
bouts. The  materials  whereof  this  mole  confifls,  are  wood 
and  clay.  The  beavers  cut,  with  furpriziiig  eafe,  large  pieces 
of  wood,  fome  as  thick  as  one's  arm  or  one's  thigh,  and  about 
four,  five,  or  fix  feet  in  length,  or  fometimes  more,  according 
lie  (lope  afcends.  They  drive  o:ie  end  of  thele  (lakes  into 
the  ground,  at  .1  fovall  diftance  one  from  the  other,  interming- 
ling a  few  with  them  that  are  fmailertind  more  pliant.  As  the 
water,  however,  would  find  a  pai&ge  through  the  intervals  or 
fpaces  between  them,  and  leave  the  refervoir  dry,  they  have 
recourfe  to  a  clay,  which  they  know  where  to  find,  and  with 
which  they  flop  up  all  the  cavities  both  within  and  without, 
lb  thr.t  the  water  is  duly  confined.  They  continue  to  raife  the 
dyke  in  proportion  to  the  elevation  of  the  water  and  the  plen- 
tv  which  they  have  of  it.  They  are  confcious  likewife  that  the 
conveyance  of  their  materials  by  land  would  not  be  fo  eafily 
accomplished  as  by  water  j  and  therefore  they  take  the  advan- 
tage of  its  increafe,  and  fwim  with  their  mortar  on  their  tails, 
and  their  flakes  between  their  teeth,  to  the  places  where  there 
is  mcfl  occahon  for  them.  If  their  works  are,  either  by  the 
force  of  the  water  or  the  feet  of  the  huntfmen,  who  run  over 
them,  in  the  leafl  damnified,  the  breach  is  inflantly  made  up  ; 
every  nook  and  corner  of  the  habitation  is  reviewed,  and, 
with  the  utmofl  diligence  and  application,  perfectly  repaired. 
But  when  they  find  the  huntfmen  vifit  them  too  often,  they 
work  only  in  the  night-time,  or  elfe  abandon  their  works  en~ 
tirely,  and  feek  out  for  fome  fafer  fituation. 

The  dyke,  or  mole,  being  thus  completed,  their  next  care  is 
to  erecl  their  feveral  apartments,  which  are  either  round  or 
oval,  and  divided  into  three  ftories,  one  raifed  above  the  other : 
the  firfl  below  the  level  of  the  caufey,  which  is  for  the  moft 
part  full  of  water  -,  the  other  two  above  it.  This  little  fabric  i« 


32*  AMPHIBIOUS 

fe  uilt  in  a  very  firm  and  fubftantial   manner,  on  the    edge  of 
their  referveir,  and  always  in  fuch  divifions  or  apartments  as 
above-mentioned;  that   in  cafe  of  the  water's   increafe,  they 
may  move  up  a  ftory  higher  and  be  no  ways  incommoded.    If 
they  find  any  little  ifland  contiguous  to    their   refervoir,  they 
fix  their  manfion  there,  which  is  then  more  folid  and  not  fo 
frequently  expofed  to  the  overflowing  of  the  water,  in  which 
they  are  not  able  to  continue  for  any  length  of  time.  In  cafe 
they  cannot  pitch  upon  fo  commodious  a  Situation,  they  drive 
piles  into  the  earth,  in  order  to  fence  and  fortify  their  habita- 
tion againft    the  wind  as   well  as  the  water.    They  make  two 
apertures,  at  the  bottom,  to  the  llream ;  one  is  a  paffage  to 
their  bagnio,  which    they    always   keep  neat  and  clean  :  the 
other  leads  to  that  part  of  the  building  where  every  thing  is 
conveyed  that  will  either  foil  or  damage  their  upper  apart- 
ments.   They  have  a  third  opening  or  door-way,  much  higher, 
contrived  for  the  prevention  of  their  being  (hut  up  and  con- 
fined, when  the  froft  and  fnow  has  clofed  the  apertures  of 
the  lower  floors.  Sometimes  they  build  their  houfes  altogether 
upon  dry  land ;  but  then  they  fink  trenches  five  or   fix  feet 
deep,  in  order  to  defcend  into  the  water  when  they  fee  conve- 
nient.  They  make  ufe  of  the  fame  materials  ;  and  are  equally 
induftrious  in   the  erection  of  their   lodges,  as  their    dykes. 
Their  walls  are  perpendicular,  and  about  two  feet  thick.    As 
their  teeth  are  more  ferviceable  than  faws,  they  cut-off  all  the 
wood  that  projects  beyond  the  wall.  After  this,  when  they  have 
mixed  up  fomc  clay  and  dry  grafs  together,  they  work  it  into 
a  kind  of  mortar,  with  which,  by  the  help  of  their  tails,  they 
plaifter  all  their  works,  both  within  and  without. 

The  iniule  is  vaulted,  and  is  large  enough  for  the  reception 
of  eight  or  ten  beavers.  In  cafe  it  rifes  in  an  oval  figure,  it  is 
for  the  generality  above  twelve  feet  long,  and  eight  or  ten  feet 
broad.  If  the  number  of  inhabitants  increafe  to  fifteen,  twenty, 
or  thirty,  the  edifice  is  enlarged  in  proportion.  I  have  been 
credibly  informed,  that  four  hundred  beavers  have  been  difco- 
vered  to  refide  in  one  large  mimfion-houfe,  divided  into  a  vafl 


QJJT  A  D  R  U  P  E  D  S. 

number  of  apartments,   that  had  a  free  communication  one 
with  another. 

All  thefe  works,  more  efpecially  in  the  northern  parts, ^arc 
finifced  in  Augufl,  or  September  at  fartheft  ;    at  which  time 
they  begin  to  lay  in  their  (lores.  During  the  fummer,  they  are 
perfeft  epicures^    and  regale  themfelvss  every  day   on  the 
choicell  fruits  and   plants  the  country  affords.    Their  provi- 
fions,  indeed,  in  the  winter  feaforr,  principally  confift  of  the 
\vood  of  the  birch,  the  plane,  and  fome  f^v/  other  trees,  which 
they  deep  in   water,  from  time  to  time,  in  fuch  quantities  as 
are  proportioned  to  the  number  of  inhabitants.  They  cut  o 
branches  from  three  to  ten  feet  in  length.  Thofe  of  the  largeft 
dimenfions  are  conveyed  to  their  magazines  by  a  whok  body 
•-avers  ',  but  the  fmalleft  by  one  only;  each  of  them,  how- 
ever, takes  a  different  way,   and  has  his  proper  walk  affi 
him,  in  order  that  no  one  labourer  (hould  interrupt  another  ;.'i 
the  profecution  of  his  work.    Their  wood-y.irds  are  larger  or 
fmaller,  in  proportion  to  the  number  in  family  :  and  accord- 
ing to  the  obfervation  of  fome  curious  naturalifls,  the  ufual  flock 
of  timber,   for  the  accommodation  of  ten   beavers,  confifts  of 
about  thirty  feet  in  a  fquare  furface,  and  ten  in  depth.  Thefe 
are  not  thrown  up  in   one  continual   pile,   but  laid  one 
acrofs  the  other,  with  intervals,  or  fmall  fpaces  between  them, 
in  order  to  take  out,  with  the  greater  facility,  but  juft  fuch  a 
quantity  as  they  fli  til  want  for  their  immediate  confumption, 
and  thofe  parcels  only,  which  lie  at  the  bottom  in  the  water, 
and  have  been  duly   fteeped.    This  timber  is  cut  again  into 
fmall  particles,  and   conveyed  to   one  of  their  largefl:  lodges, 
where  the  whole  family  meet,  to  confume  their  refpecHve  di- 
ncis,  which  are  made  impartially,  in  even  and  equal  por- 
j.     Sometimes  they  travcrrfe  the  woods,  and   regale  their 
young  with  a  more  novel,  and  elegant  entertainment. 

Such  as  are  ufed  to  hunt  thefe  animals,  know  perfectly  well, 

t  green  w^od  is  much  more  acceptable  to  them,  than  that 

which  is  old  and  dry  :  for  which  reafon  they  plant  a  confider- 

able  quantity  of  it  round  their  lodgments  •,    and  as  they  come 

-out  to  partr.ke  rf  it,  they  either  cr..  .  in  (hares,  or  take 

VOL.  II.  2  T 


33°  AMPHIBIOUS 

them  by  furprize.  In  the  winter,  when  the  frofts  are  very  fevere, 
they  fometimes  break  a  large  hole  in  the  ice ;  and  \vhen  the 
beavers  refort  thither  for  the  benefit  of  a  little  frem  air,  they 
either  kill  them  with  their  hatchets,  or  cover  the  opening  wit;h  a 
large  fubftantial  net.  After  this,  they  undermine  and  fubvert 
the  whole  fabrick :  whereupon  the  beavers,  in  hopes  to  make 
their  efcape  in  the  ufual  way,  fly  with  the  utmoft  precipi- 
tation to  the  water  ;  and  plunging  into  the  aperture,  fall  direct- 
ly into  the  net,  and  are  inevitably  taken. 


THE     SEAL. 

EVERY  flep  we  proceed  in  the  defcription  of  amphibious 
quadrupeds,  we  make  nearer  advances  to  the  tribe  of  fifties. 
»We  firft  obferved  the  otter  with  its  feet  webbed,  and  formed 
for  an  aquatic  life  -,  we  next  faw  the  beaver  with  the  hinder 
parts  covered  with  fcales,  refembling  thofe  of  fifties  ;  and  we 
now  come  to  a  clafs  of  animals  in  which  the  fhape  and  habi- 
tude of  fifties  ftill  more  apparently  prevail,  and  whofe  inter- 
nal conformation  attaches  them  very  clofely  to  the  water.  The 
feal,  in  general,  refembles  a  quadruped  in  fome  refpects,  and 
a  fifli  in  others.  The  head  is  round,  like  that  of  a  man  ;  the 
nofe  broad,  like  that  of  the  otter ;  the  teeth  like  thofe  of  a 
dog  \  the  eyes  large  and  fparkling  ;  no  external  ears,  but  holes 
that  ferve  for  that  purpofe  ;  the  neck  is  well  proportioned,  and 
of  a  moderate  length  •,  but  the  body  thickeft  where  the  neck 
is  joined  to  it.  From  thence  the  animal  tapers  clown  to  the 
tail,  growing  all  the  way  frmller,  like  a  fifti.  The  whole  body 
is  covered  with  a  thick  briftly  fhining  hair,  which  looks  as  if 
it  were  entirely  rubbed  over  with  oil ;  and  thus  far  the  qua- 
druped prevails  over  the  aquatie.  But  it  is  in  the  feet  that  this 
animal  greatly  differs  from  all  the  reft  of  the  quadruped  kind  ; 
for,  though  furniflied  with  the  fame  number  of  bones  with 
other  quadrupeds,  yet  they  are  fo  ftuck  on  the  body,  and  fo 
covered  with  a  membrane,  that  they  more  refemble  fins  than 
feet  \  and  might  be  taken  for  fuch,  did  not  the  claws  with 


QJJADRUPEDS.  331 

which  they  are  pointed  (how  their  proper  analogy.  In  the 
fore  feet,  or  rather  hands,  all  the  arm  and  the  cubit,  are  hid 
under  the  fkin,  and  nothing  appears  but  the  hand  from  the 
wrift  downwards  ;  fo  that  if  we  imagine  a  child  with  its  arms 
fwathed  down,  and  nothing  appearing  but  its  hands  at  each 
fide  of  the  body,  towards  the  breaft,  we  may  have  fome  idea 
of  the  formation  of  this  animal  in  that  part.  Thefe  hands  are 
covered  in  a  thick  fkin,  which  ferves,  like  a  fin,  for  fwimming  ; 
and  are  diftinguifhed  by  five  claws,  which  are  long,  black,  and 
piercing.  As  to  the  hind  feet,  they  are  ftretched  out  on  each 
fide  of  the  fhort  tail,  covered  \\  ith  a  hairy  Ikin  like  the  for- 
mer, and  both  together  almoft  joining  at  the  tail  ;  the  whole 
looks  like  the  broad  flat  tail  of  a  fifti ;  and,  were  it  not  for 
five  claws,  which  appear,  might  be  confidered  as  fuch.  The 
dimenfions  of  this  animal  are  various,  being  found  from  four 
feet  long  to  nine.  They  differ  alfo  in  their  colours  :  fome*  be- 
ing black,  others  fpotted,  fome  white,  and  many  more  yellow. 
It  would,  therefore,  be  almoft  endlefs  to  mention  the  varieties 
of  this  animal.  Buffon  defcribes  three ;  and  Krantz  mentions 
five,  all  different  from  thofe  defcribed  by  the  other.  I  might, 
were  I  fond  of  fuch  honours,  claim  the  merit  of  being  a  firft 
defcriber  myfelf ;  but,  in  facl:,  the  varieties  in  this  animal 
are  fo  many,  that  were  they  all  defcribed,  the  catalogue  would 
be  as  extenfive  as  it  would  be  utelefs  and  unentertaining.  It 
is  fufficient  to  obferve,  that  they  agree  in  the  general  external 
characters  already  mentioned,  and  internally  in  two  or  three 
more,  which  are  fo  remarkable  as  to  deferve  peculiar  at- 
tention. 

It  has  been  often  remarked,  that  all  animals  are  fagacious  in 
proportion  to  the  fize  of  their  brain.  It  has,  in  fupport  of  this 
opinion,  been  alleged  that  man,  with  refpect  to  his  bulk,  has, 
of  all  others,  the  largeft.  In  purfuance  of  this  affumption,  fome 
erroneous  fpeculations  have  been  formed.  But,  were  the  fize 
of  the  brain  to  determine  the  quantity  of  the  underftanding, 
the  feal  would,  of  all  other  animals,  be  the  moft  fagacious  ;  for 
it  has,  in  proportion,  the  largeft  brain  of  any,  even  man  him- 
felf  not  excepted.  However,  this  animal  is  pofTeffed  of  but  very 


332  AMPHIBIOUS 

few  advantages  over  other  quadrupeds;  and  the  fize  of  its  braiu 
furniihes  it  with  few  powers  that  contribute  to  its  wifdom,  or 
its  preservation. 

This  animal  differs  alfo  in  the  formation  of  its  tongue, 
from  all  other  quadrupeds.  It  is  forked  or  flit  at  the  end  like 
that  of  ferpents  ;  but  for  what  purpofe  it  is  thus  fingularly 
contrived,  we  are  at  a  lofs  to  know.  Vv  e  are  much  better  in- 
formed with  refpedl:  to  a  third  fingularity  in  its  conformation, 
which  is,  that  \\\z  foramen  ovale  in  the  heart  is  open.  Thofc 
who  are  in  the  leaft  acquainted  with  anatomy,  know,  that  the 
veins  uniting,  bring  their  blood  to  the  heart,  which  fends  it  in- 
to the  lungs,  and  from  thence  it  returns  to  the  heart  again  to 
be  distributed  through  the  whole  body.  Animals,  however,  be- 
fore they  are  born,  make  no  ufe  of  their  lungs  •,  and  therefore, 
their  blood,  without  entering  their  lungs,  takes  a  fhorter  paf- 
iage  through  the  very  partition  of  the  heart,  from  one  of  its 
chambers  to  the  other,  thus  paffing  from  the  veins  directly  into 
thofe  veflels  that  drive  it  through  the  whole  frame.  But  the 
moment  the  animal  is  brought  forth,  the  paflage  through  the 
partition,  which  paffage  is  called  the  foramen  ovate,  clofes  up, 
and  continues  clofed  for  ever ;  for  the  blood  then  takes  its 
longeft  courfe  through  the  lungs  to  return  to  the  other  cham- 
ber of  the  heart  again.  i\ow,  the  feal's  heart  refembles  that  of 
an  infant  in  the  womb,  for  the  foramen  ovale  never  clofes  ;  and, 
although  the  blood  of  this  animal  commonly  circulates  through 
the  lungs  yet  it  can  circulate  without  their  affiftance,  as  was 
obferved  above,  by  a  fhorter  way  *•".  From  hence,  therefore,  we 
fee  the  manner  in  which  this  animal  is  adapted  for  continuing 
under  water;  for,  being  under  no  immediate  necefflty  of  breath- 
ing, the  vital  motions  are  dill  carried  on,  while  it  continues  at 
the  bottom  ;  fo  that  it  can  purfue  its  prey  in  that  element,  and 
yet  enjoy  all  the  delights  and  advantages  of  ours. 

The  water  is  the  feal's  ufual  habitation,  and  whatever  fifh  it 

*  I  have  followed  the  ufual  observations  of  naturalifts  with  rcfpecl  to  the 
foramen  ovale  in  this  animal:  I  have  many  rcafons,  however,  to  incline  me  to 
think  that  the  foramen  is  not  entirely  open.  But  this  is  not  the  place  for  a  cr;- 
ficai  enquiry  of  this  kind. 


QJJADRUPEDS.  335 

can  catch,  its  f  xxl.  Though  not  equal  in  inftinct  and  cunning 
<nc  terreiinal  animals,  it  is  greatly  fuperior  to  the  mute  te- 
naii.  f  t'ut  eie.nent  in  which  it  chiefly  refides.  Although  it 
can  continue  for  feveral  minutes  under  water,  yet  it  is  not  able, 
like  fiflies,  to  remain  there  for  any  length  of  time  ;  and  a  feal 
may  be  drowned  like  any  other  terreftrial  animal.  Thus  it  feems 
fuperior  in  fome  refpecls  to  the  inhabitants  of  both  elements, 
and  inferior  in  many  more.  Although  furnimed  with  legs,  it 
is  in  fome  meafure  deprived  of  all  the  advantages  of  them*. 
They  are  (hut  up  within  its  body,  while  nothing  appears  but 
the  extremities  of  them,  and  thefe  furnifhed  with  very  little 
motion,  but  to  ferve  them  as  fins  in  the  water.  The  hind  feet, 
indeed,  being  turned  backwards,  are  entirely  ufelefs  upon  land-, 
fo  that  when  the  animal  is  obliged  to  move,  it  drags  itfelf  for- 
ward like  a  reptile,  and  rvith  an  effort  more  painful.  For  this 
purpose,  it  is  obliged  to  ufe  its  fore  feet,  which,  though  very 
ihort,  ferve  to  give  it  iuch  a  degree  of  fwiftnefs,  that  a  man 
cannot  readily  overtake  it  ;  and  it  runs  towards  the  fea.  As  it 
is  thus  auk'.vardly  formed  for  going  upon  land,  it  is  feldom 
found  at  any  diftant  :  from  the  fea-fhore,  but  continues  to  bade 
upon  the  rocks  ;  and  when  difturbed,  always  plunges  down  at 
once  to  the  bottom. 


The  feal  is  a  fo  nal  animal,  and  wherever  it  frequents, 
bers  are  general  Ij  feen  together.  They  are  found  in  every  cli- 
mate, but  in  the  north  and  icy  feas  they  are  particularly  nume- 
rous. It  h  on  thofe  mores,  which  are  lefs  inhabited  than  ours, 
am!  where  the  fifh  reibrt  in  greater  abundance,  that  they  are 
feen  by  thoufands,  like  flocks  'of  fheep  bafking  on  the  rocks, 
and  fuckling  their  young.  There  they  keep  watch  like  other 
gregarious  animals  ;  and,  if  an  enemy  appear,  iniiantly  plunge 
altogether  into  the  water.  In  fine  weather  they  more  ufually 
employ  their  time  in  filliing  ;  and  generally  come  on  more  in 
tempefts  and  dorms.  The  feal  feems  the  only  animal  that  takes 
delight  in  thefe  tremendous  conflicts  of  nature.  In  the  midft  of 
thunders  and  torrents,  when  every  other  creature  takes  refuge 
from  the  fury  of  the  elements,  the  feals  are  feen  by  thoufands 


334  AMPHIBIOUS 

fporting  along  the  fhore,  and  delighted  with  the  univerfal  dif- 
order.  This,  however,  may  arife  from  the  fea  being  at  that 
time  too  turbulent  for  them  to  refide  in  ;  and  they  may  then 
particularly  come  upon  land  when  unable  to  refift  the  (hock  of 
their  more  ufual  element. 

As  feals  are  gregarious,  fo  they  are  alfo  animals  of  paflage, 
and  perhaps  the  only  quadrupeds  that  migrate  from  one  part 
of  the  world  to  another.  The  generality  of  quadrupeds  are 
contented  with  their  native  plains  and  forefts,  and  feldom  (tray, 
except  when  neceffity  or  fear  impels  them.  But  feals  change 
their  habitation,  and  arc  feen  in  vail  multitudes  directing  their 
courfe  from  one  continent  to  another*.  On  the  northern 
coafts  of  Greenland  they  are  feen  to  retire  in  July,  and  to  re- 
turn again  in  September.  This  time  it  is  fuppofed  they  go  in 
purfuit  of  food.  But  they  make  a  fecond  departure  in  March, 
to  cail  their  young,  and  return  in  the  beginning  of  June,  young 
and  all  in  a  great  body  together,  obferving  in  their  rout  a  cer- 
tain fixed  time  and  track,  like  birds  of  paflage.  When  they  go 
upon  this  expedition,  they  are  feen  in  great  droves,  for  many 
days  together,  making  towards  the  north,  taking  that  part  of 
the  fea  moft  free  from  ice,  and  going  ilill  forward  into  thofe 
feas  where  man  cannot  follow.  In  what  manner  they  return, 
or  by  what  paflage,  is  utterly  unknown ;  it  is  only  obferved, 
that  when  they  leave  the  coafts  to  go  upon  this  expedition,  they 
are  all  extremely  fat,  but  on  their  return  they  come  home  ex- 
ceflivcly  lean. 

The  females  in  our  climate  bring  forth  in  winter,  and  rear 
their  young  upon  forne  land-bank,  rock,  or  tiefolate  iiland,  at 
fome  diftance  from  the  continent.  When  they  fuckle  their 
young,  they  fit  up  on  their  hinder  legs,  while  thefe,  which  are  at 
firll  white  with  woolly  hair,  cling  to  the  teats,  of  which  there 
are  four  in  number,  near  the  navelf.  In  this  manner  the  young 
continue  in  the  place  where  they  are  brought  forth,  for  twelve 
or  fifteen  days;  after  whick  the  dam  brings  them  down  to  the 

*  Xnintz,  vol.  i.  p.  izy, 
f  Cocunt  in  Iktore  rcfu^iaata  fcmina.    LIN.  SYST. 


QJJADRUPEDS.  335 

water,  and  accuftoms  them  to  fwim  and  get  their  food  by  their 
own  induftry.  As  each  litter  never  exceeds  above  three  or  four, 
fo  the  animal's  cares  are  not  much  divided,  and  the  education 
of  her  little  ones  is  foon  completed.  In  fact,  the  young  are  par- 
ticularly docile  ;  they  underftand  the  mother's  voice  among  the 
numerous  bleatings  of  the  reft  of  the  old  ones ;  they  mutually 
amft  each  other  in  danger,  and  are  perfectly  obedient  to  her 
call.  Thus  early  accuftomed  to  fubje&ion,  they  continue  to  live 
in  fociety,  hunt  and  herd  together,  and  have  a  variety  of  tones 
by  which  they  encourage  to  purfue  or  warn  each  other  of  dan- 
ger. Some  compare  their  voices  to  the  bleating  of  a  flock  of 
fheep,  interrupted  now  and  then  by  the  barking  of  angry  dogs, 
and  fometimes  the  fhriller  notes  of  a  cat*.  All  along  the  more 
each  his  its  own  peculiar  rock,  of  which  it  takes  pofTeiTion,  and 
where  it  fleeps  when  fatigued  with  fifhing,  uninterrupted  by  any 
of  the  reft.  The  only  feafon  vhen  their  focial  fpirit  feerns  to 
forfake  them,  is  that  when  they  feel  the  influences  of  natural  de- 
fire.  They  then  fight  mod  defperately ;  arid  the  male  that  is 
victorious,  keeps  all  the  females  to  himfelf.  Their  combats  on 
thefe  occafions  are  managed  with  great  obflinacy,  and  yet  great 
juftice  :  two  are  never  feen  to  fall  upon  one  together;  but  each 
has  its  antagonift,  and  all  fight  an  equal  battle,  till  one  alone 
becomes  victorious. 

Yv"e  are  not  certainly  informed  how  long  the  females  conti- 
nue pregnant ;  but  if  we  may  judge  from  the  time  which  in- 
tervenes between  their  departure  from  the    Greenland   coafts 
and  their  return,  they  cannot  go  above  feven  or  eight  months 
at  the  fartheft.  How  long  this  animal  lives  is   alfo  unkm 
a  gentleman  whom  I  knew  in  Ireland,  kepc  two  of  them,  which 
he  had  taken  very  young,  in  his  houfe  for  ten  years  :  and  thev 
appeared  to  have  die  marks  of  age,  at  the  time  I  faw 
they  were  grown  grey  about  the  muzzle;  and  it  is  very  proba- 
ble they  did  not  live  many  years  longer.  In  their  natural  fi 
the  eld  cues  are  feen  very  fat  and  torpid,  fepanited  from  the 
reft,  and  ?.s  it  mould  feem,  incapable  of  procreation. 

*  Lltmxi  Syfi. 


AMPHIBIOUS 

As  their  chief  food  is  fim,  fo  they  are  very  expert  at  purfuing 
and  catching  it.  In  thole  places  where  the  herrings  are  feen  in 
fhoals,  the  feals  frequent  and  deftroy  them  by  thoufancis.  "W 
the  herring  retires,  the  teal  is  then  obliged  to  hunt  after  fiili  that 
are  ftronger  and  more  capable  of  evading  the  puriuit*  : 
however,  they  are  very  fwift  in  deep  waters,  dive  with  great 
rapidity,  and,  while  the  fpe£htor  eyes  the  fpot  at  which  they 
difappear,  they  are  feen  to  emerge  at  above  an  hundred  yards 
diftance.  The  weaker  fifties,  therefore,  have  no  other  means  to 
efcape  their  tyranny,  but  by  darting  into  the  mallows.  The  feal 
has  been  feen  to  purfue  a  mullet,  which  is  a  fwift  fwimmer, 
and  to  turn  it  to  and  fro,  in  deep  water,  as  a  hound  does  a 
hare  on  land.  The  mullet  has  been  feen  trying  every  art  of 
evafion  j  and  at  lafl  fwimming  into  mallow  water,  in  hopes  of 
cfcaping.  There,  however,  the  feal  followed  ;  fo  that  the  little 
animal  had  no  other  way  left  to  efcape,  but  to  throw  itfelf  on  one 
fide,  by  which  means  it  darted  into  fhoalcr  water  than  it  could 
have  fwam  in  with  the  bel.y  undermoft  ;  and  thus  at  hfl  it  got 
free. 

As  they  are  thus  the  tyrants  of  the  element  in  which  they 
chiefly  refide,  fo  they  are  not  very  fearful  even  upon  land,  ex- 
cept on  thofe  fhores  which  are  thickly  inhabited,  and  from 
whence  they  have  been  frequently  purfued.  Along  the  defert 
t:oa(ls,  where  they  are  feldom  interrupted  by  man,  they  feem  to 
be  very  bold  and  courageous  ;  if  attacked  with  ftones,  like  dogs, 
they  bite  fuch  as  are  thrown  againft  them;  if  encountered  more 
clofely,  they  make  a  defperate  refinance,  and,  while  they  have 
any  life,  attempt  to  annoy  their  enemy.  Some  have  been  known, 
even  while  they  were  fkinning,  to  turn  round  and  fcize  their 
butchers  ;  but  they  are  generally  difpatched  by  a  (tunning  blow 
on  the  nofe.  They  ufually  fleep  foundly  where  not  frequently 
diilurbed  j  and  that  is  the  lime  when  the  hunters  furprize  them. 
The  Europeans  who  go  into  the  Greenland  feas  upon  the  \\  hale 

,ry,  furround  them  with  nets,  and  knock  them  on  the  head; 
but  the  Greenlanders,  who  are  unprovided  with  fo  expenfive 

•.nparatus,  deflroy  them  in  a  different  manner.  One  of  theft 

*  Eri'Jf!i  2  :-!-i-  p.  75. 


QUADRUPEDS.  337 

little  men  paddles  away  in  his  boat,  and  when  he  fees  a  feal 
afleep  on  the  fide  of  a  rock,  darts  his  lance,  and  that  with  fuch 
unerring  aim,  that  it  never  fails  to  bury  its  point  in  the  animal's 
fide.  The  feal,  feeling  itfelf  wounded,  inftantly  plunges  from 
the  top  of  the  rock,  lance  and  all,  into  the  fea,  and  dives  to  the 
bottom  $  but  the  lance  has  a  bladder  tied  to  one  end,,  which 
ke-eps  buoyant,  and  refills  the  animal's  defcent  $  fo  that  erery 
time  the  feal  rifes  to  the  top  of  the  water,  the  Greenlander 
{hikes  it  with  his  oar,  until  he  at  laft  difpatches  it.  But,  in  our 
climate,  the  feals  are  much  more  wary,  and  feldom  fuffer  the 
hunter  to  come  near  them.  They  are  often  feen  upon  the  rocks 
of  ihe  Cornifh  coaft,  baflcing  in  the  fun,  or  upon  the  inacceffi- 
ble  cliffs,  left  dry  by  the  tide.  There  they  continue,  extremely 
watchful,  and  never  fleep  long  without  moving;  feldom  longer 
than  a  minute ;  for  then  they  raife  their  heads,  and  if  they  fee 
no  danger,  they  He  down  again,  raifmg  and  reclining  their 
heads  alternately,  at  intervals  of  about  a  minute  each.  The  on- 
ly method,  therefore,  that  can  be  taken,  is  to  fhoot  them :  if 
they  chance  to  efcape,  they  haften  towards  the  deep,  flinging 
ftones  and  dirt  behind  them  as  they  fcramble  along,  and  at  the 
fame  time  expreflirig  their  pain  or  their  fears,  by  *the  moil  dif- 
trefsful  cry  ;  if  they  happen  to  be  overtaken,  they  make  a  vi- 
gorous refiftance  with  their  feet  and  teeth,  till  they  are  killed. 

The  feal  is  taken  for  the  fake  of  its  fkin,  and  for  the  oil  its  fat 
yields.  The  former  fells  for  about  four  millings ;  and,  when 
dreffed,  is  very  ufeful  in  covering  trunks,  making  waift-coats, 
(hot-pouches,  and  feveral  other  conveniencies.  The  flefh  of 
this  animal  formerly  found  place  at  the  tables  of  the  great.  At 
a  feaft  provided  by  archbimop  Navell  for  Edward  the  fourth, 
there  were  twelve  feals  and  porpoifes  provided,  among  other 
extraordinary  rarities. 

As  a  variety  of  this  aaimal,  we  may  mention  the  fea  lion,  de- 
fcribed  in  Anfon's  voyages.  This  is  much  larger  than  any  of 
the  former  j  being  from  eleven  to  eighteen  feet  long.  It  is  fo 
fat,  that  when  the  fiwin  is  taken  off,  the  blubber  lies  •  a  foot 
thick  all  round  the  body.  It  feems  to  differ  from  the  ordinary 

VOL,  II.  2  V 


338  AMPHIBIOUS 

feal,  not  only  in  its  fize,  but  alfo  in  its  food ;  for  it  is  often 
feen  to  graze  along  the  fliore,  and  to  feed  upon  the  long  grafs 
that  grows  up  along  the  edges  of  brooks.  Its  cry  is  yery  va- 
rious, fometimes  refembling  the  neighing  of  a  horfe,  and  fome- 
times  the  grunting  of  the  hog.  It  may  be  regarded  as  the  larg- 
eft  of  the  feal  family. 


THE    MORSE, 

THE  morfe  is  an  animal  of  the  feal  kind  j  but  differing  from 
the  reft,  in  a  very  particular  formation  of  the  teeth,  haying  two 
large  tufks  growing  from  the  upper  jaw,  fhaped  like  tliofe  of  an 
elephant,  but  directed  downwards ;  whereas,  in  the  elephant, 
they  grow  upright,  like  horns  ;  it  alfo  wanes  the  cutting-teeth, 
both  above  and  below :  as  to  the  reft,  it  pretty  much  refem- 
frles  a  feal?  except  that  it  is  much  larger,  being  from  twelve  to 
(ixteen  feet  long.  The  morfes  are  alfo  generally  feen  to  frequent 
the  fame  places  that  feals  are  known  to  refide  in  j  they  have 
the  fame  hatytudes,  the  fame  advantages,  and  the  fame  imper- 
fections. There  are,  however,  fewer  varieties  of  the  morfe 
than  the  feal  j  an'd  they  are  rarely  found,  except  in  the  frozen 
regions  near  the  pole.  They  were  formerly  more  numerous 
than  at  prefent ;  and  the  favage  natives  of  the  coaft  of  Green- 
land deftroyed  them  in  much  greater  quantities  before  thofq 
*feas  were  vifited  by  European  mips  upon  the  whale- fifhery, 
than  now.  Whether  thefe  animals  have  been  fmce  actually 
thinned  by  the  fifhers,  or  have  removed  to  fome  more  diftant 
and  unfrequented  ihores,  is  not  known  ;  but  certain  it  is,  that 
the  Greenlanders,  who  once  had  plenty,  are  now  obliged  to  toil 
more  afliduoufly  for  fubfiftence ;  and  as  the  quantity  of  their 
provifions  decreafe,  for  they  live  moftly  upon  feals,  the  num- 
bers of*  that  poor  people  are  every  day  diminifliing.  As  to  the 
teeth,  they  are  generally  from  two  to  three  feet  long  ;  and  the 
jvory  is  much  more  efteemed  than  that  of  the  elephant,  being 
whiter  and  harder.  The  fifhers  have  been  known  formerly  to 
lull  three  on  four  hundred  at  once  5  and  along,  thofe  fhores  which 


QJJ  AD  RUPEES.  339 

they  chiefly  frequented,  their  bones  are  flill  feen  lying  in  pro- 
digious quantities.  In  this  manner,  a  fupply  of  provifions, 
which  would  have  fupported  the  Greenland  nation  for  ages, 
has  been,  in  a  few  years,  focrificed  to  thofe  who  did  not  ufe 
them,  but  who  fought  them  for  the  purpofes  of  avarice  and 
luxury ! 


THE    MANATL 

WE  come,  in  the  laft  place,  to  an  animal  that  terminates  the 
boundary  between  quadrupeds  and  fifties.  Inftead  of  a  creature 
preying  among  the  deeps,  and  retiring  upon  land  for  repofe  or 
refrefhment,  we  have  here  an  animal  that  never  leaves  the  wa- 
ter, and  is  enabled  to  live  only  there.  It  cannot  be  called  a  qua- 
druped, as  it  has  but  two  legs  only  j  nor  can  it  be  called  a  fifhr 
as  it  is  covered  with  hair.  In  ftiort,  it  forms  the  link  that  unites 
thofe  two  great  tribes  to  each  other  -,  and  may  be  mdifcrimi- 
nately  called  the  laft  of  beafts,  or  the  firft  of  fifties. 

We  have  feen  the  feal  approaching  nearly  to  the  aquatic 
iribes,  by  having  its  hind  legs  thrown  back  on  each  fide  of  the 
tail,  and  forming  fomething  that  refembled  the  tail  of  a  fifti  j 
but  upon  examining  the  (keleton  of  that  animal,  its  title  to  the 
rank  of  a  quadruped  was  obferved  plainly  to  appear,  having  all 
the  bones  of  the  hinder  legs  and  feet  as  complete  as  any  other 
animal  whatsoever. 

But  we  are  now  come  to  a  creature  that  not  only  wants  the 
external  appearance  of  hinder  legs,  but,  when  examined  inter- 
nally, will  be  found  to  want  them  altogether.  The  mana'ti  i? 
fomewhat  ftiaped  in  the  head  and  the  body  like  the  feal ;  it  haj 
alfo  the  fore-legs  or  hands  pretty  much  in  the  fame  manner, 
fhort  and  webbed,  but  with  four  claws  only :  thefe  alfo  are 
{horter  in  proportion  than  in  the  former  animal,  and  placed 
nearer  the  head  ;  fo  that  they  can  fcarcely  affift  its  motions'  up- 
on lajid.  But  it  is  in  the  hinder  parts,  that  it  chiefly  differs 
from  all  others  of  the  feal  kind;  for  the  tail  is  perfedly  that  of 
o  fcfh,  being  fpread  cut  broad  like  a  -fan.  and  wanting  even  tfre 


3-io  ANIMALS  OF  THE 

vedipes  of  thole  bones  which  make  the  legs  and  feet-  in  others 
of  ;ts  kind.  The  largeft  of  thefe  are  about  twenty-fix  feet  in 
length  ;  the  fkin  is  blackifh,  very  tough  and  hard  ;-.  when  cut, 
as  black  as  ebony;  and  there  are  a  few  hairs  feattered,  like  brif- 
tles,  of  about  an  inch  long.  The  eyes  are  very  fraall,  in  propor- 
tion to  the  animal's  head  j  and  the  ear-holes,  for  it  has  no  ex- 
ternal ears,  are  fo  narrow,  as-  fcarce  to  admit  a  pin's  head. 
The  tongue  is  fo  fliort,,  that  fome  have  pretended  it  has  none 
at  all  ;  and  the  teeth  are  compofed  only  of  two  folid  white 
bones,  running  the  whole  length  of  both  jaws,  and  formed 
merely  for  chewing  and  not  rearing  its  vegetable  food.  The 
female  has  breafts  placed  forward,  like  thofe  of  a  woman  ;  and 
fhe  brings  forth  but  one  at  a  time :  this  (he  holds  with  her 
paws  to  her  bofomj  there  it  flicks,  and  accompanies  her  wher- 
ever {he  goes. 

This  animal  can  fcarcely  be  called  amphibious,  as  it  never 
entirely,  leaves  the  water,  only  advancing  the  head  out  of  the 
iiream,  to  reach  the  grafs  on  the  river  fides.  Its  food  is  entire- 
ly upon  vegetables  ;  and,  therefore,  it  is  never  found  far  in  the 
open  fea,  but  chiefly  in  the  large  rivers  of  South- America ;  and 
often  above  two  thoufand  miles  from  the  ocean.  It  is  alfo  found, 
in  the  feas  near  Kamtfchatka,  and  feeds  upon  the  weeds  that 
grow  near  the  more.  There  are  likewife  level  greens  at  the 
bottom  of  fome  of  the  Indian  bays,  and  there  the  manatees  are 
harmlefsly  feen  grazing  among  turtles  and  other  cruftaceous 
fifties,  neither  giving  nor  fearing  any  difturbance.  Thefe  ani- 
mals, when  unmoleftedi  keep  together  in  large  companies,  and 
furround  their  young  ones*.  They  bring  forth  moft  common- 
ly in  autumn ;  and  it  is  fuppofed  they  go  with  young  eighteen 
months,  for  the  time  of  generation  is  in  fpring;. 

The  manati  has  no  voice  nor  cry ;  for  the  only  noife  it  makes 
is  by  fetching  its  breath.  Its  internal  parts  fomewhat  refemble 
thofe  of  a  horfe  ;  its  inteftines  being  longer,  in  proportion^ 
than  thofe  of  any  other  creature,  the  horfe  only  excepted. 

The  fat  of  the  manati,  which  lies  under  the  Ikin,  when 
A&a  Pttrigoli. 


'  MONKEY  KIND.  341 

pofed  to  the  fun,  has  a  fine  fmell  and  tafte,  and  far  exceeds  the 
fat  of  any  fea  animal ;  it  has  this  peculiar  property,  that  the 
heat  of  the  fun  will  not  fpoil  it,  nor  make  it  grow  rancid ;  its 
tafte  is  like  the  oil  of  fweet  almonds ;  and  it  wiH  ferve  very 
well,  in  all  cafes,  inftead  of  butter :  any  quantity  may  be  taken 
inwardly  with  fafety,  for  it  has  no  other  effect  than  keeping 
the  body  open.  The  fat  of  the  tail  is  of  a  harder  confidence  ; 
and,  when  boiled,  is  more  delicate  than  the  former.  The  lean 
is  like  beef,  but  more  red  ;  and  may  be  kept  a  lorrg  while,  in 
the  hotted  days,  without  tainting.  It  takes  up  a  long  time  in 
boiling ;  and,  when  done,  eats  like  beef.  The  fat  of  the  young 
one  is  like  pork  ;  the  lean  is  like  realj  and,  upon  the  whole,  it 
is  very  probable,  that  this  animal's  flefti  fomewhat  refembles 
that  of  turtle,  fince  they  are  fed  in  the  fame  element,  and  up- 
on the  very  fame  food.  The  turtle  is  a  delicacy  well  known 
among  us ;  our  luxuries  are  not  as  yet  fufficiently  heightened 
to  introduce  the  manati ;  which,  if  it  could  be  brought 
might  fingly  fuffice  for  a  whole  corporation. 


CHAP.    XVI. 

Of  Animals  of  the  Monkey  Kind. 

QUADRUPEDS  maybe  confidered  as  a  numerous 
terminated  on  every  fide  by  fome  that  but  in  part  deferve 
the  name.  On  one  quarter  we  fee  a  tribe  covered  with  quills,  or 
furnimed  with  wings,  that  lift  them  among  the  inhabitants  of 
air ;  on  another,  we  behold  a  diverfit y  clothed  with  fcales 
and  (hells,  to  rank  with  infecls ;  and  ftill,  on  a  third,  we  fee 
them  defcending  into  the  waters,  to  live  among  the  mute  te- 
nants of  that  element.  We  now  come  to  a  numerous  tribe,  that, 
leaving  the  brute  creation,  feem  to  make  approaches 'even  to 
humanity ;  that  bear  an  auku  ard  refemblance  of  the  human 
form,  and  difcover  fome  faint  efforts  at  intellectual  fagacity. 

Animals  of  the  monkey  clafs,  are  furnifhed  with  hands,  in~ 


ANIMALS   OF  THE 

ftead  of  pa\vs ;  their  ears,  eyes,  eye-lids,  lips,  and  breads,  arc  like 
thofe'of  mankind  :  their  internal  conformation  alfo  bears  fome 
diflant  likenef^ ;  and  the  whole  offers  a  picture  that  may 
well  mortify  the  pride  of  fuch  as  make  their  perfons  alone,  the 

principal  objet~t  of  their  admiration. 

/ 
Thefc  approaches,  however,  are  gradual ;  ami  fome  bear  the 

»  marks  of  this  our  boafted  form,  more  ftrongly  than  others. 

In  the  ape-kind,  we  fee  the  whole -external  machine  ftrong- 
ly  impreiTed  with  the  human  likenefs,  and  capable  of  the  fame 
exertions  :  thefe  walk  upright,  want  a  tail,  have  flefhy  pofteri- 
ors,  have  calves  to  their  legs,  and  feet  nearly  like  o -jrs. 

In  the  baboon-kind,  we  perceive  a  more  diftant  approach  to 
the  human  form  ;  the  quadruped  mixing  in  every  pa>rt  of  the 
animal's  figure  :  thefe  generally  go  upon  all-fours  •,  but  fome, 
when  upright,  are  as  tall  as  a  man  ;  they  have  mort  tails,  long 
fnouts,  and  are  poffeffed  of  brutal  fiercenefs. 

The  mctakey-kind  are  removed  a  ftep  further  :  thefe  are 
much  leis  than  the  former,  with  tails  as  long,  or  longer  than 
their  bodies,  and  flattifh  faces. 

Lailly,  the  maki  and  opofTum  kind,  feem  to  lofe  all  refem- 
blawce  of  the  human  figure,  except  in  having  hands  5  their 
nofes  are  lengthened  out,  like  thofe  of  quadrupeds,  and  every 
part  of  their  bodies  totally  different  from  the  human;  however, 
•as  they  grafp  their  food,  or  other  objects,, with  one  hand,  which 
quadrupeds  cannot  do,  this  Tingle  fimilitude  gives  them  an  air 
of  fagacity,  to  which  they  have  fcarce  any  other  pretenfions. 

From  this  flight  furvey,  it  may  be  eafily  feen  that  one  gene- 
ral defcription  will  not  ferve  for  animals  fo  very  different  from 
each  other  :  neverthelefs,  it  would  be  fatiguing  to  the  lafl  de- 
gree, as  their  varieties  are  fo  numerous,  and  their  differences 
fo  fmall*  to  go  through  a  particular  defcription  of  each.  In 
this  cafe,  it  will  be  beft  to  give  a  hiflory  of  the  foremofl  in 
each  clafs  ;  at  the  fame  time  marking  the  diitinclions  in  every 
fpecies.  By  this  we  mall  avoid  a  tedious  repetition  of  fimilar 
characters,  and  confider  the  manners  and  the  odditi  cs  of  this 


MONKET   KIND.  343 

phantaftic  tribe  in  general  points  of  view  ;  where  we  (hall 
perceive  how  nearly  they  approach  to  the  human  figure,  and 
how  little  they  benefit  by  the  approximation. 

The  foremoil  of  the, ape  kind  is  the  o.urang  outang,  or 
wild  man  of  the  woods.  This  name  feems  to  have*been  ^YfJJ 
to  various  animals,  agreeiiig  in  one  common  character  *n4 
walking  upright,  but  coming  from  different  countries,  and  of 
very  different  proportions  and  powers.  The  troglodyte 
Bontius,  the  drill  of  Purchas,  and  the  pigmy  of  Tyfon,  have 
all  received  this  general  name  ;  and  have  been  ranked,  by  fome 
naturalifts,  under  one  general  defciiption.  If  we  read  the  ac- 
counts of  many  remote  travellers,  under  this  name  we  are 
prefcnted  with  a  formidable  animal,  from  fix  to  eight  feet 
high  ;  if  we  examine  the  bocks  of  fuch  as  have  defcribec)  it 
nearer  home,  we  find  it  a  pigmy  not  above  three.  In  this  di- 
verfity,  we  mutt  be  content  to  blend  their  various  defcriptions 
into  on^  general  account ;  obferving,  at  the  fame  time,  that 
we  have  no  reafon  to  doubt  any  of  their  relations,  although  we 
are  puzzled  which  to  follow. 

The  "ourang  outang,  which,  of  all  other  animals,  moft 
nearly  approaches  to  the  human  race,  is  feen  of  different 
fizes,  from  three  to  feven  feet  high.  In  general,  however,  its 
flature  is  lefs  than  that  of  a  man  ;  but  its  flrength  and  agility 
much  greater.  Travellers  who  have  feen  various  kinds  of  thefe 
animals  in  their  native  folitudes,  give  us  furprizing  relations 
of  their  force,  their  fwiftnefs,  their  addrefs,  and  their  ferocity. 
Naturalifls  who  have  obferved  their  form  and  manners  at  home, 
have  been  as  much  ftruck  with  their  patient,  pliant,  imitative 
difpofitions  ;  with  their  appearance  and  conformation,  fo  near- 
ly human.  Of  the  fmallefl  fort  of  thefe  animals,  we  have  had 
feveral,  at  different  times,  brought  into  this  country,  all  nearly 
alike  ;  but  that  obferved  by  dr.  Tyfon,  is  the  bed  known,  hav- 
ing been  defcribed  with  the  greateft  exacbiefs. 

The  animal  which  was  defcribed  by  that  learned  phyfician, 
was  brought  from  Angola  in  Africa,  where  it  had  been  taken 
in  the  internal  parts  of  the  country,  in  company  wirh  a  fc- 


344  ANIMALS    OF   THE 

male  of  the  fame  kind,  that  died  by  the  way.  The  body  was 
covered  with  hair,  which  was  of  a  coal-black  colour,  more  re- 
fembling  human  hair  than  that  of  brutes.  It  bore  a  ftiil  ftrong- 
cr  fimilitude  in  its  different  lengths  ;  for  in  thofe  places  where 
it  is  longeft  on  the  human  fpecies,  it  was  alfo  longeft  in  this  ; 
;as  on  the  head,  the  upper  lip,  the  chin,  and  the  pubes.  The 
face  was  like  that  of  a  man,  the  forehead  larger,  and  the  head 
round.  The  upper  and  lower  jaw  were  not  fo  prominent  as  in 
monkies  ;  but  flat,  like  thofe  of  a  man.  The  ears  were  like 
thofe  of  a  man  in  moft  refpe£h  ;  and  the  teeth  had  more  re- 
femblance  to  the  human,  than  thofe  of  any  other  creature. 
The  bending  of  the  arms  and  legs  were  juft  die  fame  as  in  a 
man  j  and,  in  iliort,  the  animal,  at  firft  view,  prefented  a 
figure  entirely  human. 

In  order  to  difcover  its  differences,  it  was  necefiary  to  make 
a  clofer  furvey ;  and  then  the  imperfections  of  its  form  began 
to  appear.  The  firft  obvious  difference  was  in  the  flatnefs  of 
the  nofe  ;  the  next  in  the  lownefs  of  the  forehead,  and  the 
wanting  the  prominence  of  the  chin.  The  ears  were  propor- 
tionably  too  large  ;  the  eyes  too  clofe  to  each  other  j  and  the 
interval  between  the  nofe  and  the  mouth  too  great.  The  body 
and  limbs  differed,  in  the  thighs  being  too  ihort  and  the 
arms  too  long ;  in  the  thumb  being  too  little,  and  the  palm 
of  the  hand  too  narrow.  The  feet  alfo  were  rather  more  like 
hands  than  feet ;  and  the  animal,  if  we  may  judge  from  the 
figure,  bent  too  much  upon  its  hwrtiches. 

When  this  creature  was  examined  anatomically,  a  furpri?^ 
ing  fimilitude  was  feen  to  prevail  in  its  internal  conformation, 
It  differed  from  man  in  the  number  of  its  ribs,  having  thirteen  ; 
whereas,  in  man,  there  are  but  twelve.  The  vertebrae  of  the 
neck  alfo  were  (horter,  the  bones  of  the  pelvis  narrower,  the 
orbits  of  the  eyes  were  deeper,  the  kidnies  were  rounder,  the 
urinary  and  gall  bladders  were  longer  and  fmaller,  and  the 
ureters  of  a  different  figure.  Such  were  the  principal  diftinc- 
tions  between  the  internal  parts  of  this  animal  and  thofe  of 
man  ;  in  almoft  every  thing  elfe  they  were  entirely  and  ex- 
the  fame,  and  difcovcred  an  aftonifhing  congruity.  In- 


MONKEY  KIND.  34$ 

deed,  many  parts  were  fo  much  alike  in  conformation,  that  it 
might  have  excited  wonder  how  they  \vere  productive  of  fuch 
few  advantages.  The  tongue,  and  all  the  organs  of  the  voice, 
were  the  fame,  and  yet  the  animal  was  dumb  -,  the  brain  was 
formed  in  the  fame  manner  with  that  of  man,  and  yet  the 
creature  wanted  reafon  :  an  evident  proof  (as  mr.  Buffbn  fine- 
ly obferves)  that  no  difpofition  of  matter  will  give  mind  ;  and 
that  the  body,  how  nicely  foever  formed,  is  formed  in  vain, 
when  there  is  not  infufed  a  foul  to  direft  its  operations. 

Having  thus  taken  a  comparative  view  of  this  creature  with 
man,  what  follows  may  be  neceflary  to  complete  the  general 
defcription.  This  animal  was  very  hairy  all  behind,  from  the 
head  downwards,  and  the  hair  fo  thick,  that  it  covered  the 
ikin  almofl  from  being  feen  :  but  in  all  parts  before,  the  hair 
was  much  thinner,  the  ikin  every  where  appeared  ;  and  in 
fome  places  it  was  almofl  bare.  When  it  went  on  all-fours, 
as  it  was  fometimes  feen  to  do,  it  appeared  all  hairy  ;  when  it 
went  ere£t,  it  appeared  before  lefs  hairy,  and  more  like  a  man. 
Its  hair,  which  in  this  particular  animal  was  black,  much  more 
refembled  that  of  men  than  the  fur  of  brutes  ;  for,  in  the  latter, 
befides  their  long  hair,  there  is  ufually  a  finer  and  fhorter  in- 
termixed ;  but  in  the  ourang  outang  it  was  all  of  a  kind  ;  on- 
ly about  the  pubes  the  hair  was  greyifli,  feemed  longer,  and 
fomewhat  different ;  as  alfo  on  the  upper  lip  and  chin,  where 
it  was  greyiih,  like  the  hair  of  a  beard.  The  face,  hands,  and 
foles  of  the  feet,  were  without  hair  ;  and  fo  was  moft  part  of 
the  forehead  :  but  down  the  fides  of  the  face,  the  hair  was 
thick,  it  being  there  about  an  inch  and  a  half  long,  which  ex- 
ceeded that  on  any  other  part  of  the  body.  In  the  palms  of 
its  hands,  were  remarkable  thofe  lines  which  are  ufually  taken 
notice  of  in  palmiftry  ;  and  at  the  tips  of  the  fingers,  thofe 
fpiral  lines  obferved  in  man.  The  palms  of  the  hands  were 
as  long  as  the  foles  of  the  feet ;  and  the  toes  upon  thefe  were 
as  long  as  the  fingers  ;  the  middle  toe  was  the  longeft  of  all, 
and  the  whole  foot  differed  from  the  human.  The  hinder  feet 
being  thus  formed  as  hands,  the  animal  often  ufed  them  as 
fuch  ;  and,  on  the  contrary,  now  and  then  made  ufc  of  its 
VOL.  II.  2  X 


?4<5  ANIMALS   OF   THE 

hands  inflead  of  feet.  The  breafts  appeared  fmall  and  fiiri- 
vclled,  but  exactly  like  thofe  of  a  man  :  the  navel  alfo  appear- 
ed very  fair,,  and  in  exaxSt  difpoOtion,  being  neither  harder  nor 
more  prominent  than  what  is  ufually  feen  in  children.  Such 
is  the  defcription  of  this  extraordinary  creature  j  to  which  lit- 
tle has  been  added  by  fucceeding,  obfervers,  except  that  the 
colour  of  the  hair  is  often  found  to  vary  :  in  that  defcribed 
by  Edwards  it  was  of  a  reddifh  brown. 

From  a  picture  fo  like  that  of  the  human  fpecies,  we  arc 
naturally  led  to  expect  a  correfponding  mind  ;  and  it  is  cer- 
tain, that  fuch  of  thefe  animals^  as  have  been  fhown  in  Eu- 
rope, have  difeevered  a  degree  of  imitation  beyond  what  any 
quadruped  can  arrive  at. 

That  of  Tyfon  wa  s  a  gentle,  fond,  harmlefs  creature.  In 
its  paflage  to  England,  thofe  that  it  knew  on  fhip-board,  it 
would  embrace  with  the  greateft  tendcrnefs,  "opening  their  bo- 
foms,  and  clafping  its  hands  about  them.  Monkies  of  a  lower 
fpecies  it  held'  in  utter  averfion  ;  it  would  always  avoid  the 
place  where  they  were  kept  in  the  fame  veflel  ;  and  feemed 
to  confider  itfel'f  as  a  creature  of  higher  extraction.  After  it 
was  taken,  and  a  little  ufed  to  wear  clothes,  it  grew  very  fond 
of  them  ;  a  part  it  would  put  on  without  any  help,  and  the 
reft  it  would  carry  in  its  hands  to  feme  of  the  compnay,  for 
their  affi fiance.  It  would  lie  in  a  bed,  place  its  head  on  the  pil- 
low, and  pull  the  clothes  upwards,  as  a  man  would  do. 

That  which  was  feen  by  Edwards,  and  defcribed  by  Buf- 
fon,  fliowed  even  a  fuperior  degree  of  fagacity.  It  walked, 
like  all  of  its  kind,  upon  two  legs,  even-  though  it  carried  bur- 
thens. Its  air  was  melancholy,  and  its  deportment  grave. 
Unlike  the  baboon  or  monkey,  whofc  motions  are  violent  and 
appetites  capricious,,  who  are  fond  of  mifchief,  and  obedient 
only  from  fear  ;  this  animal  was  flow  in  its  motions,  and  a 
look  \\-as  fufficient  to  keep  it  in  awe.  I  have  feen  it,  fays  mr. 
Euffon,  give  its  hand,  to  (how  the  company  to  the  door  :  I 
have  feen  it  fit  at  table,  unfold  its  napkin,  wipe  its  lips,  make 
ufe  of  the  fpoon  and  the  fork,  to  carry  the  victuals  to  its  mouth, 


MONKEY    KIND. 

pour  out  its  drink  into  a  ghfs,  touch  glafies  when  invited,  take 
a  cup  and  faucer,  and  lay  them  on  the  table,  put  in  fugar,  pour 
out  its  tea,  leave  it  to  cool  before  drinking,  and  all  this,  with- 
out any  other  infligation  than  the  figns  or  the  command  of 
its  mailer,  and  often  of  its  o\vn  accord.  It  was  gentle  and  in- 
ofFenfive  ;  it  even  approached  flrangers  with  refpecl:,  and  came 
rather  to  receive  carefles  than  to  offer  injuries.  It  was  particu- 
larly fond  of  fugared  comfits,  which  every  body  was  ready  to 
give  it ;  end,  as  it  had  a  defluxion  upon  the  bread,  fo  much 
fugar  contributed  to  increafe  the  diforder  and  fhorten  its  life. 
It  conrinued  at  Paris  but  one  fummer,  and  died  in  London. 
It  ate  indifcriminately  of  all  things,  but  it  preferred  dry  and 
ripe  fruits  to  all  other  aliments.  It  would  drink  wine,  but  in 
fmall  quantities,  and  gladly  left  it  for  milk,  tea,  or  any  other 
fweet  liquor. 

Such  thefe  animals  appeared  when  brought  into  Europe. 
However,  many  of  their  extraordinary  habits  were  probably 
the  refult  of  education,  and  we  are  not  told  how  long  the  in- 
ftrucliions  they  received  for  this  purpofe  were  continued.  But 
we  learn  from  another  account,  that  they  take  but  a  very  fhort 
time  to  come  to  a  great  degree  of  imitative  perfection.  Mr.  L. 
Brofie  bought  two  young  ones,  that  were  but  a  year  old,  from 
a  Negro  ;  and  thefe  at  that  early  age  difcovered  an  aftonifh- 
ing  power  of  imitation*.  They  even  then  fat  at  the  table  like 
men,  ate  of  every  thing  without  diftinclion,  made  ufe  of  their 
knife,  fpoon,  and  fork,  both  to  eat  their  meat  and  help  them- 
felves.  They  drank  wine  and  other  liquors.  When  carried  on 
{hip-board,  they  had  figns  for  the  cabbin-boys  expreflive  of  their 
wants  ;  and  whenever  thefe  neglected  attending  upon  them 
as  they  defired,  they  inilamly  flew  into  a  palTion,  feized  them 
by  the  arm,  bit  them,  and  kept  them  down.  The  male  was 
fea-fick,  and  required  attendance  like  a  human  creature  ;  he 
was  even  twice  bled  in  the  arm  ;  and  every  time  afterwards 
when  he  found  himfelf  out  of  order,  he  mowed  his  arm,  as 
4eCrous  of  being  relieved  by  bleeding. 

*  At  auoted  by  mr.  BufTon,  vol.  xaviii.  p.  77, 


348  ANIMALS    OF  THE 

Pyrard  relates,  that  in  the  province  of  Sierra  Leon?.,  in  Af- 
rica, there  are  a  kind  of  apes,  called  baris,  which  are  ilrong 
and  mufcular,  and  which,  if  properly  innrucTied  when  young, 
ferve  as  very  ufeful  domeftics.     They  ufually  walk  upright  -, 
they  pound  at  a  mortar  ;  they  go  to  the  river  to  fetch  water, 
this  they  carry  back  in  a  little  pitcher,  on  their  heads  :  but  if 
care  be  not  taken  to  receive  the  pitcher  at  their  return,  they 
let  it  fall  to  the  ground,  ami  then,  feeing  it  broken,  they  begin 
to  lament  and  cry  for  their  lofs.  Le  Compte's  account  is  much 
to  the  fame  purpofe,  of  an  ape,  which  he  faw  in  the  Strait  of 
Molucca.     "  It  walked  upon  its  two  hind  feet,  which  it  bent 
a  little,  like  a  dog  that  had  been  taught  to  dance.  It  made  ufe 
of  its  hands  and  arms  as  we  do.  Its  vifage  was  not  much  more 
difagreeable  than  that  of  a  Hottentot  ;  but  the  body  was  all 
over  covered  with  a  woolly  hair  of  different  colours.     As  to 
the  reft,  it  cried  like  a  child  j  all  its  outward  actions  were  fo 
like  the  human,  and  the  pafiions  fo  lively  and  fignificant,  that 
dumb  men   could  fcarce  better  exprefs  their  conceptions  and 
clefires.  It  had  alfo  that  expreflion  of  pafTion  or  joy  which  we 
often  fee  in  children,  (lamping  with  its  feet,  and  ftriking  them 
againft  the  ground,    to   (how  its  fpight,  or  when  refufed  any 
thing   it  paffionately  longed  for.     Although   thefe   animals/* 
continues  he,  "  are  very  big,  for  that  I  faw  was  four  feet  high, 
their  nimblenefs  is  incredible.  It  is  a  pleafure  beyond  expref- 
fion  to  fee  them  run  up  the  tackling  of  a  fliip,  where  they 
fometimes  play  as  if  they  had  a  knack  of  vaulting  peculiar  to 
themfelves,  or,  as  if  they  had  been  paid,  like  our  rope-dancers, 
1  to  divert  the  company.    Sometimes,  fufpended  by  one  arm, 
they  poife   themfelves,  and  then  turn  all  of  a  fudden  round 
about  a  rope,  with  as  much  quicknefs  as  a  wheel,  or  a  fling 
put  into  motion.    Sometimes  holding  the  rope  fucceilively 
with  their  long  fingers,  and,  letting  their  whole  body  fall  into 
.  the  air,  they  run  full  fpeed  from  one  end  to  the  other,  and 
come  back  again  with  the  fame  fwiftnefs.  There  is  no  pofture 
but  they  imitate,  nor  motion  but  they  perform.  Bending  them- 
felves like  a  bow,  rolling  like  a  bowl,  hanging  by  the  hands, 
feet,  and  teeth,  according  to  the  different  fancies  with  which 


MONKEY   KIND.  349 

their  capricious  imagination  fupplies  them.  But  what  is  {till 
more  amazing  than  all  is,  their  agility  to  fling  themfelves  from 
one  rope  to  another,  though  at  thirty,  forty,  and  fifty  feet  dif- 


Such  are  the  habitudes  and  the  powers  of  the  fmaller  clafs 
of  thefe  extraordinary  creatures  -,  but  we  are  prefented  with  a 
very  different  picture  in  thofe  of  a  larger  flature  and  more 
mufcular  form.  The  little  animals  we  have  been  defcribing, 
which  are  feldom  found  above  four  feet  high,  feem  to  partake 
of  the  nature  of  dwarfs  among  the  human  fpecies.  being  gen- 
tle, ailiduous,  and  playful,  rather  fitted  to  amufe  than  terrify. 
But  the  gigantic  races  of  the  ourang  outang,  feen  and  defcrib- 
cd  by  travellers,  are  truly  formidable  ;  and  in  the  gloomy  fo- 
refts,  where  they  are  only  found,  feem  to  hold  undifputed  do- 
minion. Many  of  thefe  are  as  tall,  or  taller  than  a  man  ;  ac- 
tive, flrong  and  intrepid,  cunning,  lafcivious  and  cruel.  This 
redoubtable  rival  of  mankind  is  found  in  many  parts  of  Afri- 
ca, in  the  Eaft-Indies,  in  Madagascar,  and  in  Borneo*.  In 
the  lad  of  thefe  places,  the  people  of  quality  courfe  him  as 
we  do  the  ftag  ;  and  this  fort  of  hunting  is  one  of  the  favou- 
rite amufements  of  the  king  himfelf.  This  creature  is  extreme- 
ly fwift  of  foot,  endowed  with  extraordinary  ftrength,  and 
runs  with  prodigious  celerity.  His  fkin  is  all  hairy,  his  eyes 
funk  in  his  head,  his  countenance  item,  his  face  tannec},  and 
all  his  lineaments,  though  exactly  human,  harfh  and  blackened 
by  the  fun.  In  Africa  this  creature  is  even  ftill  more  formi- 
dable. Battel  calls  him  the  pongo,  and  aflures  us,  that,  in  all  his 
proportions,  he  refembles  a  man,  exeept  that  he  is  much  lar- 
ger, even  to  a  gigantic  ftature.  His  face  refembles  that  of  a 
man,  the  eyes  deep  funk  in  the  head,  the  hair  on  each  fide  ex- 
tremely long,  the  vifage  naked  and  without  hair,  as  alfo  the 
cars  and  the  hands.  The  body  is  lightly  covered,  and  fcarcely 
differing  from  that  of  a  man,  except  that  there  are  no  calves 
to  the  legs.  Still,  however,  the  animal  is  feen  to  walk  upon  hi* 
hinder  legs,  and  in  an  erect  pofture.  He  fieeps  under  trees, 

*  Lc  Compte's  Hiftorr  of  China. 


35°  ANIMALS    OF    THE 

and  binds  Limfclf  a  lint,  which  ferves  to  pretext  him  againfl 
the  fun  and  the  rains  of  the  tropical  climates,  of  \vhich  he  is  a 
native.  He  lives  only  upon  fruits,  and  is  no  way  carnivorous. 
He  cannot  fpeak,  although  furnifhed  with  greater  inilin6t 
>  than  any  other  animal  of  the  brute  creation.  When  the  Ne- 
groes make  a  fire  in  the  woods,  this  animal  comes  near  and 
warms  himfelf  by  the  blaze.  However,  he  has  not  ikill  enough 
to  keep  the  flame  alire  by  feeding  it  with  fuel.  They  go  to- 
gether in  companies  ;  and  if  they  happen  to  meet  one  of  the 
human  fpecies,  remote  from  fuccour,  they  fhow  him  no  mercy. 
They  even  attack  the  elephant,  which  they  beat  \vith  their 
clubs,  and  oblige  to  leave  that  part  of  the  forefl  which  they 
claim  as  their  own.  It  is  impoffible  to  take  any  of  thefe  dread- 
ful creatures  alive,  for  they  are  fb  ftrong,  that  ten  men  would 
not  be  a  match  for  but  one  of  them.  None  of  this  kind,  there- 
fore, are  taken  except  when  very  young,  and  thefe  but  rarely, 
when  the  female  happens  to  leave  them  behind,  for  in  gene- 
ral they  keep  clung  to  the  bread,  and  adhere  both  with  legs 
and  arms.  From  the  fame  traveller  we  learn,  that  when  one 
of  thefe  animals  dies,  the  reft  cover  the  body  with  a  quantity  of 
leaves  and  branches.  They  fometmies  alfo  lliow  mercy  to  the 
human  kind.  A  Negro  boy,  that  was  taken  by  one  of  thefe,  and 
carried  into  the  woods,  continued  there  a  whole  year,  with^ 
out  receiving  any  injury*.  From  another  traveller  we  learn, 
that  thefe  animals  often  attempt  to  furprize  the  female  Ne- 
groes as  they  go  into  the  woods,  and  frequently  keep  them 
againft  their  wills  for  the  pleafure  of  their  company,  feeding 
them  very  plentifully  all  the  time.  He  allures  us  that  he  knew 
a  woman  of  Loango  that  had  lived  among  thefe  animals  for 
three  years.  They  grow  from  fix  to  feven  feet  high,  and  are 
of  unequalled  ftrength.  They  build  fheds,  and  make  ufe  of 
clubs  for  their  defence.  Their  faces  are  broad,  their  nofes  flat, 
their  cars  without  a  tip,  their  fkins  are  more  bright  than  that 
of  a  mulatto,  and  they  are  covered  on  many  parts  of  the  bo- 
dy with  long  and  tawny  coloured  hair*  Their  belly  is  large, 
their  heels  flat,  and  yet  rifmg  behind.  They  fometimes  walk 

*  JU  BroITc,  as  quoted  by  BufTon,  vol.  xxviii.  p .  70. 


MONKEY'  KIND. 

upright,  anil  fometimes  upon  all-fours,  \vhen  they  are  phan- 
taflically  difpofed. 

From  this  defcription  of  the  ourang  outang,  we  perceive  at 
•what  a  diftance.  the  firft  animal  of  the  brute  creation  is  placed 
from  the  very  lowed  of  the  human  fpecies.  Even  in  coun- 
tries peopled  with  favages,  this  creature  is  confidered  as  a 
bead  ;  and  in  thofe  very  places  where  we  might  fuppofe  the 
fmalleft  difference  between  them  and  mankind,  the  inhabitants 
hold  it  in  the  greateft  contempt  and  detedation*  In  Borneo, 
where  this  animal  has  been  faid  to  come  to  its  greateft  per- 
fection, the  natives  hunt  it  in  the  fame  manner  as  they  puriue 
the  elephant  or  the  lion,  while  its  refemblance  to  the  human 
form  procures  it  neither  pity  nor  protection.  The  gradations 
of  nature  in  the  other  parts  of  nature  are  minute  and  infen- 
fible  ;  in  the  paffage  from  quadrupeds  to  fifties  we  can  fcarce 
tell  where  the  quadruped  ends  and  the  fifh  begins ;  in  the  de- 
fcenc  from  beads  to  infects  we  can  hardly  didinguifh  the  fteps 
of  the  progreffion  ;  but  in  the  afcent  from  brutes  to  man,  the 
line  is  ftrongly  drawn,  well  marked  and  unpayable.  It  is  in 
vain  that  the  ourang  outang  refembles  man  in  form,  or  imi- 
tates many  of  his  actions  •,  he  dill  continues  a  wretched,  help- 
lefs  creature,  pent  up  in  the  moft  gloomy  part  of  the  fored, 
and,  with  regard  to  the  provifion  for  his  own  happinefs,  in- 
ferior even  to  the  elephant  or  the  beaver  in  fagacity.  To  us, 
indeed,  this  animal  feems  much  wifer  than  it  really  is.  As  we 
have  long  been  ufed  to  meafure  the  fagacity  of  all  actions  by 
their  fimilitude  to  our  own,  and  not  their  fitnefs  to  the  ani- 
mars  way  of  living,  we  are  pleafed  with  the  imitations  of  the 
ape,  even  though  we  know  they  are  far  from  contributing  to 
the  convenience  of  its  fituation.  An  ape  or  a  quadruped,  whea 
under  the  trammels  of  human  education,  may  be  an  admirable 
object  for  human  curiofity,  but  is  very  little  advanced  by  all 
its  learning  in  the  road  to  its  own  felicity.  On  the  contrary, 
I  have  never  feen  any  of  ihcfc  long  indrudted  annuals  that 
did  not,  by  their  melancholy  air,  appear  fenfible  of  the  wretch*, 
ednefs  of  their  iituation.  Its  marks  oi  feeming  fagacity  were 


352  ANIMALS  O  F  THE 

merely  relative  to  us  and  not  to  the  animal ;  and  all  its  boafted 
wifdom  was  merely  of  our  own  making. 

There  is,  in  fact,  another  circumrtance  relative  to  this  ani- 
mal which  ought  not  to  be  concealed.  I  have -many  reafons  to 
believe  that  the  moft  perfect  of  the  kind  are  prone,  like  the 
reft  of  the  quadruped  creation,  and  only  owe  their  creel:  atti- 
tude to  human  education.  Almoft  all  the  travellers  who  fpeak 
of  them,  mention  their  going  fometimes  upon  all-fours,  and 
fometimes  erect.  As  their  chief  refidence  is  among  trees, 
they  are  without  doubt  ufually  feen  erect  while  they  are  climb- 
ing ;  but  it  is  more  than  probable  that  their  efforts  to  efcapc 
upon  the  ground  are  by  running  upon  the  hands  and  feet  to- 
gether. Schouten,  who  mentions  their  education,  tells  us,  that 
they  are  taken  in  traps,  and  taught  in  the  beginning  to  walk 
upon  their  hind  legs  ;  which  certainly  implies  that  in  a  ftate 
of  nature  they  run  upon  all-fours.  Add  to  this,  that,  when  we 
examine  the  palms  of  their  hands  and  the  foles  of  their  feet, 
we  find  both  equally  callous  and  beaten  ;  a  certain  proof 
that  both  have  been  equally  ufed.  In  thofe  hot  countries,  where 
the  apes  are  known  to  refide,  the  foles  of  the  Negroes  feet, 
who  go  bare-foot,  are  covered  with  a  fkin  above  an  inch  thick  ; 
while  their  hands  are  as  foft  as  thofe  of  an  European.  Did 
the  apes  walk  in  the  fame  manner,  the  fame  exercife  would 
have  furnifhed  them  with  fimilar  advantages,  which  is  not 
the  cafe.  Befides  all  this,  I  have  been  allured,  by  a  very  cre- 
dible traveller,  that  thefe  animals  naturally  run  in  the  woods 
upon  all-fours  -,  and  when  they  are  taken,  their  hands  are  tied 
behind  them,  to  teach  them  to  walk  upright.  This  attitude 
they  learn  after  fome  time  ;  and,  thus  inilructed,  they  are 
fent  into  Europe  to  aflonifh  the  fpeculative  with  their  near 
approaches  to  humanity,  while  it  is  never  confidered  how 
much  is  natural,  and  how  much  has  been  acquired  in  the  fa- 
vage  fchools  of  Benin  and  Angola. 

The  animal  next  to  thefe,  and  to  be  placed  in  the  fame 
clafs,  is  the  ape,  properly  fo  called,  or  the  pithekos  of  the  an- 
cients. This  is  much  lefs  than  the  former,  being  not  above  a 


MONKEY   KIND.  353 

foot  and  a  half  high,  but  walks  erect,  is  without  a  tail,  and  is 
ea£ly  tamed. 

Of  this  kind  alfo  is  the  gibbon,  fo  called  by  BufFon,  or  the 
long-armed  ape,  which  is  a  very  extraordinary  and  remarkable 
creature.  It  is  of  different  fizes,  being  from  four  feet  to  two 
feet  high.  It  walks  erect,  is  without  a  tail,  has  a  face  refem- 
bling  that  of  a  man,  v.  ith  a  circle  of  bufhy  hair  all  round  the 
vifagc  ;  its  eyes  are  large  and  funk  in  its  head  ;  its  face  tan- 
ned, and  its  ears  exactly  proportioned.  But  that  in  which  it 
chiefly  differs  from  all  others  of  the  monkey  tribe  is  the  ex- 
traordinary length  of  its  arms,  which,  when  the  animal  (lands 
creel:,  are  long  enough  to  reach  the  ground ;  fo  that  it  can 
walk  upon  all-fours,  and  yet  keep  its  erect  pofture.at  the  fame 
time.  This  animal,  next  to  the  ourang  outang  and  the  ape, 
moft  nearly  refembles  mankind,  not  only  in  form,  but  in  gen- 
tle manners  and  tractable  difpofition.  It  is  a  native  of  the 
Eail-Indies,  and  particularly  found  along  the  coaft  of  Coro- 
mandel. 

The  laft  of  the  ape  kind  is  the  cynocephalus,  or  the  magot 
of  Buffo n.  This  animal  wants  a  tail,  like  the  former,  although 
there  is  a  fmall  protuberance  at  that  part,  which  yet  is  rather 
formed  by  the  {kin  than  the  bone.  It  differs  alib  in  having  a 
large  callous  red  rump.  The  face  is  prominent,  and  approaches 
more  to  that  of  quadrupeds  than  of  man.  The  body  is  co- 
vered with  a  browniih  hair,  and  yellow  on  the  belly.  It  is  about 
three  feet  and  a  half,  or  four  feet  high,  and  is  a  native  of 
moft  parts  of  Africa  and  the  Eaft.  As  it  recedes  from  man  in 
its  form,  fo  alfo  it  appears  different  in  its  difpofitions,  being 
fullen,  vicious,  and  untractable  f . 

THE    BABOON. 

DESCENDING  from  the  more  perfect  of  the  monkey 
kinds,  we  come  to  the  baboon  and  its  varieties,  a  large,  fierce, 

f  Omnes  femellx  huiufce  ct  precedcntium,  ut  et  fere  fequentium  fpecierum 
menftruali  patiuntur  lluxu  ficut  in  feral 

VOL.  IL  *  Y 


354  ANIMALS   OF  THE 

and  formidable  race,  that,  mixing  the  figure  of  the  man  an<i 
the  quadruped  in  their  conformation,  feem  to  poflefs  only  the 
defects  of  both  ;  the  petulance  of  the  one,  and  the  ferocity  of 
the  other.  Thefe  animals  have  a  {hort  tail  j  a  prominent  face  ^ 
with  canine  teeth,  larger  than  thofe  of  men,  and  callofities  on 
the  rump-j-.  In  man  the  phyfiognomy  may  deceive,  and  the 
figure  of  body  does  not  always  lead  to  the  qualities  of  the 
mind  ;  but  in  animals  WQ  may  always  judge  of  their  difpofi- 
tions  by  their  looks,  and  form  a  jufl  conjecture  of  their  inter- 
nal habits  from  their  external  form.  If  we  compare  the  nature 
of  the  ape  and  baboon  by  this  eafy  rule,  we  mail  at  once  be 
led  to  pronounce  that  they  greatly  differ  in  their  difpofilions, 
and  that  the  latter  are  infinitely  more  fierce,  favage  and  mali- 
cious than  the  former.  The  ourang  outang,  that  fo  nearly  re- 
fembles  man  in  its  figure,  approaches  alfo  neareft  in  the  gen- 
tlenefs  of  its  manners  and  the  pliancy  of  its  temper.  The  cy- 
nocephalus,  that  of  all  other  apes  is  mod  unlike  man  in  form, 
and  approaches  nearer  the  dog  in  face,,  refembles  aJfo  the  brute 
in  nature,  being  wild,  reillefs,  and  impelled  by  a  fretful  impe- 
tuofity.  But  the  baboon,  who  is  ftill  more  remote,  and  refem- 
bles man  only  in  having  hands,  who,  from  having  a  tail,  pro- 
minent face,  and  (harp  claws,  approaches  more  nearly  to  the 
favage  tribe,  is  every  way  fierce,  malicious,,  ignorant  and  un- 
traftable. 

The  baboon,  properly  fo  called,  is  from  three  to  four  feet 
high,  very  ftrong  built,  with  a  thick  body  and  limbs,  and  ca- 
nine teeth,  much  longer  than  thofe  of  men.  It  has  large  callo- 
fities behind,  which  are  quite  naked  and  red.  Its  tail  is  crook- 
ed and  thick,  and  about  feveii  or  eight  inches  long.  Its  fnout, 
for  it  can  hardly  be  called  a  face,  is  long  and  thick,  and  on 
each  fide  of  its  cheeks,  it  has  a  pouch,  into  which,  when  fati- 
ated  with  eating,. it  puts  the  remainder  of  its  provifions.  It  is 
covered  wkhlong  thick  hair,  of  a  reddifh  brown  colour,  and 
pretty  uniform  over  the  whole  body.  It  walks  more  commonly 
upon  all-fours  than  upright,  and  its  hands  as  well  as  its  feet  arc 

t  Buffon,  vol.  xx-viik  p  183. 


MONKEY   KINB.  355 

armed  with  long  (harp  claws,  inftead  of  the  broad  round  nails 
of  the  ape  kind. 

An  animal  thus  made  for  ftrength,  and  furnifhed  with  dan- 
gerous weapons,  is  found  in  fa£l  to  be  one  of  the  molt  formi- 
dable of  the  favage  race,  in  thofe  countries  where  it  is  bred.  It 
appears,  in  its  native  woods,  to  be  impelled  by  two  oppofite  paf- 
fions  ;  an  hatred  for  the  males  of  the  human  fpecies,  and  a  de- 
fire  for  women.  Were  we  aflured  of  thefe  ftrange  oppofitions 
in  its  difpofition  from  one  teftimony  alone,  the  account  might 
appear  doubtful;  but  as  it  comes  from  a  variety  of  the  moil 
credible  witnefies,  we  cannot  refufe  our  aflent.  From  them, 
therefore,  we  learn,  that  thefe  animals  will  often  aflail  women 
in  a  body,  and  force  them  into  the  woods,  where  they  keep 
them  againft  their  will,  and  kill  them  when  refractory.  From 
the  chevalier  Forb'm  we  learn,  that  in  Siam,  whole  troops  of 
thefe  will  often  fally  forth  from  their  forefts,  and  attack  a  vil- 
lage, when  they  know  the  men  are  engaged  in  their  rice  har- 
veft.  They  are  on  fuch  occafions  actuated  as  well  by  defire  as 
by  hunger  ;  and  not  only  plunder  the  houfes  of  whatever  pro- 
vifions  they  can  find,  but  endeavour  to  force  the  women. 
Thefe,  however,  as  the  chevalier  humouroufly  relates,  not  at 
nil  liking  either  the  manners  or  the  figure  of  the  paltry  gallants, 
boldly  (land  on  their  defence,  and  with  clubs,  or  whatever 
other  arms  they  can  provide,  inftead  of  anfwering  their  caref- 
fes,  oblige  their  ugly  fuitors  to  retreat ;  not,  however,  before 
they  have  damaged  or  plundered  every  thing  eatable  they  can 
lay  their  hands  on. 

At  the  Cape  of  Good-Hope  they  are  lefs  formidable,  but, 
to  the  befl  of  their  power,  equally  mifchievous.  They  are 
there  under  a  fort  of  natural  difcipline,  and  go  about  what- 
ever they  undertake  with  furprizing  {kill  a^d  regularity.  When 
they  fet  about  robbing  an  orchard  or  a  vineyard,  for  they  are 
extremely  fond  of  grapes,  apples  and  ripe  fruit,  they  do  not 
go  fingly  to  work,  but  in  large  companies,  and  with  precon- 
certed deliberation.  On  thefe  occafions,  a  part  of  them  enter 
the  enclofure,  while  one  is  fet  to  watch.  The  reft  ft  and  with- 


356  ANIMALS   OF  THE 

out  the  fence,  and  form  a  line  reaching  all  the  way  from  their 
fellows  within  to  their  rendezvous  without,  which  is  general- 
ly in  fome  craggy  mountain.  Every  thing  being  thus  difpofed, 
the  plunderers  within  the  orchard  throw  the  fruit  to  thole 
that  are  without  as  faft  as  they  can  gather  it  -,  or,  if  the  wall 
or  hedge  be  high,  to  thofe  that  fit  on  the  top  ;  and  thefe  hand 
the  plunder  to  thofe  next  them  on  the  other  fide.  Thus  the 
fruit  is  pitched  from  one  to  another  all  along  the  line,  till  it 
is  fafely  depofited  at  their  head-quarters.  They  catch  it  as 
readily  as  the  moil  fkilful  tennis  player  can  a  ball ;  and  while 
the  bufmefs  is  going  forward,  which  they  conduct  with  great 
expedition,  a  molt  profound  filence  is  obferved  among  them. 
Their  centinel,  during  this  whole  time,  continues  upon  the 
watch,  extremely  anxious  and  attentive  j  but  if  he  perceives 
any  one  coming,  he  inftantly  fets  up  a  loud  cry,  and,  at  this 
fignai,  the  whole  company  fcamper  off.  Nor  yet  are  they  at 
any  time  willing  to  leave  the  place  empty-handed  ;  for  if  they 
be  plundering  a  bed  of  melons,  for  inftance,  they  go  off  with 
one  in  their  mouths,  one  in  their  hands,  and  one  under  their 
arm.  If  the  purfuit  is  hot,  they  drop  firlt  that  from  under  their 
*Arm,  then  that  from  their  hand  ;  and,  if  it  be  continued,  they 
at  laft  let  fall  that  which  they  had  hitherto  kept  in  their 
mouths, 

The  natives  of  the  Cape  often  take  the  young  of  thefe  ani- 
mals, and,  feeding  them  with  meep  and  goats  milk,  accuflom 
them  to  guard  their  houfes ;  which  duty  they  perform  with 
great  punctuality.  Thofe,  however,  that  have  been  brought 
into  Europe,  are  hcadftrong,  rude,  and  untra&able.  Dogs  and 
cats,  when  they  have  done  any  thing  wrong,  will  run  off; 
but  thefe  feem  carelefs  and  infenfible  of  the  mifchief  they  do  ; 
and  I  have  feen  one  of  them  break  a  whole  table  of  china,  as 
it  mould  feem  by  defign,  without  appearing  in  the  leaft  con- 
fcious  of  having  done  amifb.  It  was  not,  however,  in  any  re- 
fpecl:  fo  formidable  as  that  defcribed  by  mr.  Buffon,  of  which 
Jie  gives  the  following  defcription.  "  It  was  not,"  fays  he, 
«'  extremely  ugly,  and  yet  it  excited  horror.  It  continually 
appeared  in  a  ftate  of  favage  ferocity,  gnafhing  its  teeth,  fly- 


MONKEY   KIND.  357 

ing  at  the  fpe&ators,  and  furioufly  reftlefs.  It  was  obliged  to 
be  confined  in  an  iron  cage,  the  bars  of  which  it  fo  forcibly 
attempted  to  break,  that  the  fpeclators  were  ftruck  with  ap- 
prehenfion.  It  was  a  fturdy  bold  animal,  whofe  fhort  limbs  and 
powerful  exertions,  mowed  vail  ftrcngth  and  agility.  The  long 
hair  with  which  it  was  covered  feemed  to  add  to  its  apparent 
abilities ;  which,  however,  were  in  reality  fo  great,  that  it 
could  eafily  overcome  more  than  a  fingle  man,  unlefs  armed. 
As  to  the  rcit,  it  forever  appeared  excited  by  that  paffion  which 
renders  the  mildeft  animals  at  intervals  furious.  Its  lafcivi- 
oufnefs  was  conflant,  and  its  fatisfattions  particular.  Some 
others  alfo  of  the  monkey  kind  Ihowed  the  fame  degree  of 
impudence,  and  particularly  in  the  prefence  of  women  j  but, 
as  they  were  lefs  in  fize,  their  petulance  was  lefs  obvious,  and 
their  infoience  more  eafily  corrected." 

But,  however  violent  the  defires  of  thefe  animals  may  be, 
they  are  not  found  to  breed  in  our  climate.  The  female  brings 
forth  ufually  but  one  at  a  time,  which  me  carries  in  her  arms, 
and  in  a  peculiar  manner  clinging  to  her  breait.  As  to  the 
reft,  thefe  animals  are  not  at  all  carnivorous  ;  they  principally 
feed  upon  fruits,  roots,  and  corn,  and  generally  keep  together 
in  companies.  The  internal  parts  are  more  unlike  thofe  of  man 
than  of  quadrupeds,  particularly  the  liver,  which  is  like  that 
of  a  dog  divided  into  fix  lobes.  The  lungs  are  more  divided, 
the  guts  in  general  are  fhorter,  and  the  kidnies  rounder  and 
flatter. 

The  largeft  of  the  baboon  kind  is  the  mandril ;  zi\  ugly 
difgufling  animal,  with  a  tail  lliorter  than  the  former. 
of  a  much  larger  ftature,   being  from  four  to  five  feet  i 
The  muzzle  is  (till  longer  than   that  of  the  preceding  ;  it  is 
of  a  bluiih  colour,  and  ftrongly  marked  with  wrinkles,  v  ; 
give  it  a   frightful   appearance.     But   ^|at  renders  it  tn.;/ 
loathfome  is,   that 'from  the  nofe  there  is  always  feen  iiiuing 
a   fnot,  which   the  animal  takes   care  at  intervals  to  HLK  oiF 
with  its  tongue  and  fwailow.  It  is  a  native  of  the 
it  is  faid  to  walk  more  frequently  erect  than  upon  a 


358  AN  I  M  A  L  S  O  F  T  H  E 

and  when  difpleafcd,  to  weep  like  a  child.  There  w^.s  one 
of  them  fhown  in  England  fome  years  ago.  It  feemed  tame, 
but  ftupid,  and  had  a  method  of  opening  its  mouth  and  blow- 
ing at  fuch  as  came  too  near. 

The  wanderow  is  a  baboon  rather  lefs  that  the  former,  with 
the  body  lefs  compact  and  mufcular,  and  the  hinder  parts 
feemingly  more  feeble.  The  tail  is  from  feven  to  eight  inches 
long  ;  the  muzzle  is  prominent,  as  in  the  reft  of  this  kind;  but 
what  particularly  diftinguimes  it,  is  a  large  long  white  head  of 
hair,  together  with  a  monftrous  white  beard,  coarfe,  rough, 
and  defcending;  the  colour  of  the  reft  of  the  body  being  brown 
or  black.  As  to  the  reft,  in  its  favage  ftate,  it  is  equally  fierce 
with  the  others  ;  but,  with  a  proper  education,  it  feems  more 
tractable  than  moft  of  its  kind,  and  is  chiefly  feen  in  the  woods 

of  Ceylon  and  Malabar. 

\ 
The  maimon  of  BufFon,  which  Edwards  calls  the  pigtail,  is 

the  laft  of  the  baboons,  and  in  fize  rather  approaches  the  mon- 
key, being  no  larger  than  a  cat.  Its  chief  diftinclion,  befides 
its  prominent  muzzle,  like  a  Gaboon,  is  in  the  tail,  which  is 
about  five  or  fix  inches  long,  and  curled  up  like  that  of  a  hog ; 
from  which  circumftance,  peculiar  to  this  animal,  our  Englifh 
naturalift  gave  it  the  name.  It  is  a  native  of  Sumatra,  and  does 
not  well  endure  the  rigours  of  our  climate.  Edwards,  howe- 
ver, kept  one  of  them  a  year  in  London ;  and  another  of  them 
happening  at  the  fame  time  to  be  expofed  in  a  (how  of  beafts, 
he  brought  the  two  exiles  together,  to  fee  if  they  would  claim 
or  acknowledge  their  kindred.  The  moment  they  came  into 
each  other's  prefence,  they  teftified  their  mutual  fatisfaction, 
and  feemed  quite  tranfported  at  the  interview. 


THE  MONKEY. 

•ill 

The  varieties  in  the  larger  tribes  of  the  monkey  kind  are 
but  few  -,  in  the  ape  we  have  feen  but  four,  and  in  the  baboon 
about  as  many.  But  when  we  come  to  the  fmaller  clafs,  the  dif« 


MONKEY  KIND.  359 

ferences  among  them  feem  too  tedious  for  enumeration;  Thefe, 
as  was  obfervecl  in  the  beginning,  are  ail  fmall  in  (lature,  and 
with  long  tails,  by  which  they  are  diftinguifhed  from  the  pre- 
ceding, that  entirely  want  the  tail,  or  are  large  and  have  but  a 
fhort  one.  The  varieties  in  the  form  and  colour  of  dogs,  or 
fquirrels,  is  nothing  to  what  are  found  among  monkies  of  try? 
fmaller  kind.  Bofman  mentions  above  fifty  forts  on  the  Gold 
Coaft  alone,  and  Smith  confirms  the  account.  Condamine  af- 
ferts  that  it  would  take  up  a  volume  to  defcribe  the  differences 
of  thefe  to  be  found  along  the  river  Amazons ;  and  we  are 
fure  that  every  one  of  thefe  is  very  different  from  thofe  on  ihe 
African  coaft.  Naturalifls,  however,  have  undertaken  to  make 
a  catalogue  of  their  numbers  ;  and  they  either  tranfmit  their 
defcriptions  from  one  to  another,  or  only  enumerate  thofe  few 
that  have  found  their  way  to  Europe,  and  have  fallen  within 
the  narrow  circle  of  their  own  obfervation.  But,  though  it 
may  be  proper  enough  to  defcribe  fuch  as  fall  under  notice, 
it  is  certainly  wrong  to  offer  a  fcanty  catalogue,  as  complete, 
and  to  induce  the  reader  to  fuppofe  he  fees  a  pictureof  the  whole 
group  of  thefe  animals,  when  he  is  only  prefented  with  a  fmall 
part  of  the  number.  Such,  therefore,  as  are  fond  of  the  repu- 
tation of  adding  new  defcriptions  to  the  flock  of  natural  hifio- 
ry,  have  here  a  wide,  though  furely  a  barren  field  to  enlarge  in; 
and  they  will  find  it  no  difficult  matter,  by  obferving  the  vari- 
ous animals  of  this  kind,  that  are  brought  from  their  native 
coafts  to  this  country,  to  indulge  in  description,  and  to  ring 
the  changes  upon  all  the  technical  terms  with  which  this  mofl 
pleafmg  fcience  is  obfcured  and  rendered  difgufting.  For  my 
own  part,  I  will  fpare  the  reader  and  myfelf  the  trouble  of  en- 
tering into  an  elaborate  defcription  of  each ;  content  with  ob- 
ferving once  more,  that  their  numbers  are  rery  great,  and  their 
differences  very  trifling.  There  is  fcarce  a  country  in  the  tro- 
pical climates  that  does  not  fwarm  with  them,  and  fcarce  a. 
foreft  that  is  not  inhabited  by  a  race  of  monkies  diflincl:  from 
all  others.  Every  different  wood  along  the  coafts  of  Africa, 
may  be  confidered  as  a  feparate  colony  of  monkies,  differing 
from  tkofe  of  the  next  diftrid  iji  colour,  in  fize,  and  tt 


360          '  ANIMALS  OF  THE 

cious  mCfchief.  It  is  indeed  remarkable,  that  the  monkies  of  tv/o 
cantons  are  r-ever  found  to  mix  with  each  other,  but  rigorouf- 
ly  to  obferve  a  feparation  ;  each  foreil  produces  only  its  own  5 
and  thefe  guard  their  limits  from  the  intrufion  of  all  ilrangers 
of  a  different  race  from  themfelves.  Li  this  they  fomewhat  re- 
ferable the  human  inhabitants  of  the  favage  nations,  among 
/y-:om  they  are  found,  where  the  petty  kingdoms  are  nume- 
rous, and  their  manners  oppofite.  There,  in  the  extent  of  a 
few  miles,  the  traveller  is  prefented  with  men  fpeaking  differ- 
ent languages,  profeffing  different  religions,  governed  by  dif- 
ferent laws,  and  only  refembling  each  other,  in  their  mutual 
animofity. 

In  general,  monkies  of  all  kinds,  being  lefs  than  the  baboon, 
are  endued  with  lefs  powers  of  doing  mifchief.  Indeed,  the 
ferocity  of  their  nature  feems  to  diminifh .-with  their  fize  ;  and 
when  taken  wild  in  the  woods,  they  are  fooner  tamed,  and 
more  eafily  taught  to  imitate  man  than  the  former.  More  gen- 
tle than  the  baboon,  and  lefs  grave  and  fullen  than  the  ape, 
they  foon. begin  to  exert  all  their  fportive  mimicries,  and  are 
eafily  reflrained  by  correction.  But  it  muft  be  confeiled,  that 
they  will  do  nothing  they  are  defired  without  beating ;  for,  if 
their  fears  be  entirely  removed,  they  are  the  mod  infolent  and 
head-ftrong  animals  in  nature.  % 

In  their  native  woods,  they  are  not  lefs  the  perls  of  man 
than  of  other  animals.  The  monkies,  fays  a  traveller*,  are  in  pot- 
fefiion  of  every  foreil  where  they  refide,  and  may  be  confidered 
as  the  mailers  of  the  place.  Neither  the  tiger,  nor  the  lion  it- 
felf,  will  venture  to  difpute  the  dominion,  fmce  thefe,  from 
the  tops  of  trees,  continually  carry  on  an  offenfive  war,  and  by 
their  agility,  efcape  all  poffibility  of  purfuit.  Nor  have  the  birds 
lefs  to  fear  from  their  continual  depredations  ;  for,,  as  thefe 
harmlefs  inhabitants  of  the  wood,  ufually  build  upon  trees,  the 
monkies  are  for  ever  on  the  watch  to  find  out  and  rob  their 
nefts  i  and  fuch  is  their  petulant  delight  in  mifchief,  that  they 

*  Dcfcription  Hiftorique  de  Macac,  p.  jl. 


MONKEY   KIND.  3<5-t 

:ling  their  eggs  againft  the  ground  when  they  want  appe- 
tite or  inclination  to  devour  them. 

There  is  but  one  animal  in  all  the  foreft,  that  ventures  to  op-' 
pofe  the  monkey,  and  that  is  the  ferpent.  The  larger  fnakes 
are  often  feen  winding  up  the  trees  where  the  monkies  refide  ; 
and,  when  they  happen  to  furprize  them  fleeping,  fwallow 
them  whole,  before  the  little  animals  have  time  to  make  a  de- 
fence. In  this  manner,  the  two  moft  mifchievous  kinds  in  all 
nature  keep  the  whole  foreft  between  them  ;  both  equally  for- 
midable to  each  other,  and  for  ever  employed  in  mutual  hoftili- 
ties.  The  monkies  in  general  inhabit  the  tops  of  the  trees,  and 
the  ferpents  cling  to  the  branches  nearer  the  bottom ;  and  in  this 
manner  they  are  for  ever  feen  near  each  other,  like  enemies  in 
the  fame  field  of  battle.  Some  travellers,  indeed,  have  fuppofed, 

'  that  their  vicinity  rather  argued  their  mutual  friendfliip,  and 
that  they  united  in  this  manner  to  form  an  ofFenfive  league 
againft  all  the  reft  of  animated  nature*.  «  I  have  feen  thefe 
monkies,"  fays  Labat,  "  playing  their  gambols  upon  thofe  very 
branches  on  which  the  fnakes  were  repofing,  and  jumping  over 
them  without  receiving  any  injury,  although  the  ferpents  of  that 
country  were  naturally  vindictive,  and  always  ready  to  bite 
whatever  difturbed  them."  Thefe  gambols,  however,  were  pro- 
bably nothing  more  than  the  infults  of  an  enemy  that  was  con- 

"fcious  of  its  own  fafety  ;  and  the  monkies  might  have  provok- 
ed the  fnake  in  the  fame  manner,  as  we  often  fee  fparrows 
twitter  at  a  cat.  However  this  be,  the  foreft  is  generally  divi- 
ded between  them ;  and  thefe  woods,  which  nature  feems  to 
have  embellimed  with  her  richeft  magnificence,  rather  infpire 
terror  than  delight,  and  chiefly  ferve  as  retreats  for  mifchief  and 
malignity. 

The  enmity  of  thefe  animals  to  mankind,  is  partly  ridiculoas, 
and  partly  formidable.  They  feem,  fays  Le  Comte  and  others, 
to  have  a  peculiar  mftincl:  in  difcovering  their  foes ;  and  are 
perfectly  (killed,  when  attacked,  in  mutually  defending  and 
aflifting  each  other.  When  a  traveller  enters  among  thefe 

*  I  abat,  Relat.  de  1'Afriq.  Occident,  p.  337, 

VOL.  IL  a  Z 


362  ANIMALS    OF   THE 

woods,  they  confider  him  as  an  invader  upon  their  dominions, 
and  join  all  to  repel  the  intrufion.  At  firft,  they  furvey  hira 
with  a  kind  of  infolent  curiofity.  They  jump  from  branch  to 
branch,  purfue  him  as  he  goes  along,  and  make  a  loud  chatter- 
ing, to  call  the  reft  of  their  companions  together.  They  then 
begin  their  hoftilities  by  grinning,  threatening,  and  flinging 
down  the  withered  branches  at  him,  which  they  break  from 
the  trees  :  they  even  take  their  excrements  in  their  hands,  and 
tbr.'W  them  at  his  head.  Thus  they  attend  him  wherever  he 
goes  \  jumping  from  tree  to  tree  with  fuch  amazing  fwiftnefs, 
that  the  eye  can  fcarce  attend  their  motions.  Although  they 
take  the  meft  defperate  leaps,  yet  they  are  fcldom  feen  to  come 
to  the  ground,  for  they  eafily  fallen  upon  the  branches  that 
break  their  fall,,  and  flick,  either  by  their  hands,  feet,  or  tail, 
wherever  they  touch.  If  one  of  them  happens  to  be  wounded, 
the  reft  aiTemble  round,  and  clap  their  fingers  into  the  wound, 
as  if  they  vrere  defirous  of  founding  its  depth.  If  the  blood  flows 
In  any  quantity,  fome  of  them  keep  it  fhut  up,  while  others 
get  leaves,  which  they  chew,  and  thruft  into  the  opening:  how- 
ever extraordinary  this  may  appear,  it  is  aflerted  to  be  often 
feen,  and  to  be  ftriclly  true.  In  this  manner  they  wage  a  petu- 
lant, unequal  war;  and  are  often  killed  in  numbers  before  they 
think  proper  to  make  a  retreat.  This  they  effect  with  the  fame 
precipitation  with  which  they  at  firft  came  together.  In  this 
retreat  the.  young  are  feen  clinging  to  the  back  of  the  female, 
with  which  ihe  jumps  away,  feemingly  unembarrafled  by  the 
burthen. 

The  curiofity  of  the  Europeans  Has,  in  fome  meafure,  induc- 
ed the  natives  of  the  places  where  thefe  animals  refide,  to  catch 
or  take  them  alive  by  every  art  they  are  able.  The  ufual  way, 
in  fuch  cafe,  is  to  moot  the  female  as  ftie  carries  her  young,  and 
then  both,  of  courfe,  tumble  to  the  ground.  But  even  this  is 
not  eafily  performed  ;  for  if  the  animal  be  not  killed  outright, 
it  will  not  fall  j  but  clinging  to  fome  branch,  continues,  even 
when  dead,  its  former  grafp,  and  remains  on  the  tree  where 
it  was  fhot,  until  it  drops  ofF  by  putrefaction.  In  this  manner, 
it  is  totally  loft  to  the  purfuer  $  for  to  attempt  climbing  the 


MONKEY  KIND,  363 

tree,  to  bring  cither  it  or  the  young  one  do\vn,  would  proba- 
bly be  fatal,  from  the  number  of  fcrpents  that  are  hid  ?.rncng 
the  branches.  For  this  reafon  the  fportfman  always  takes  c  ire 
to  aim  at  the  head;  which,  if  he  hits,  the  monkey  falls  direclly 
to  the  ground  ;  and  the  young  one  comes  down  at  the  fame 
time,  clinging  to  its  dead  parent. 

The  Europeans  along  the  coafts  of  Guinea,  often  go  into  the 
woods  to  fhoot  monkies ;  and  nothing  pleafes  the  Negroes 
more  than  to  fee  thofe  animals  drop,  againft  which  they  have 
the  greateft  animofity.  They  confider  them,  and  not  without 
reafon,  as  the  mod  mifchievous  and  tormenting  creatures  in 
the  world  ;  and  are  happy  to  fee  their  numbers  deftroyed,  up- 
on a  double  account ;  as  well  becaufe  they  dread  their  cl . 
tations,  as  becaufe  they  love  their  fiefh.  The  mor  vh  is 

always  Ikinned  before  it  is  eaten,  when  ferved  up  at  a  Negro 
feaft,  looks  fo  like  a  child,  that  an  European  is  {hocked  at  the 
very  fight.  The  natives,  however,  who  are  not  fo  nice,  de- 
vour it  as  one  of  the  higheft  delicacies,  and  afliduoufly  attend 
our  fportfmen,  to  profit  by  the  fpoil.  But  what  they  are  chiefly 
uftonifhed  at,  is  to  fee  our  travellers  carefully  taking  the  ycung 
ones  alive,  while  they  leave  them  the  old  ones,  that  are  cer- 
tainly the  mod  fit  to  be  eaten.  They  cannot  comprehend  what 
advantage  can  arife  to  us  from  educating  or  keeping  a  little 
animal,  that,  by  experience,  they  know  to  be  equally  fraught 
with  tricks  and  mifchief :  fome  of  them  have  even  been  led  to 
fuppofe,  that,  with  a  kind  of  perverfe  affection,  we  love  only 
creatures  of  the  mod  mifchievous  kinds ;  and  having  feen  us 
often  buy  young  and  tame  monkies,  they  have  taken  equal  care 
to  bring  rats  to  our  favors,  offering  them  for  fale,  and  greatly 
pointed  at  finding  no  purchafer  for  fo  hopeful  a  commo- 

The  Negroes  confider  thefe  animals  as  their  greateft  plague ; 
and,  indeed,  thejr  do  incredible  damage,  when  they  come  in 
companies  to  lay  wafte  a  field  of  Indian-corn  or  rice,  or  a  plan- 
tation of  fugar-canes.  They  carry  off  as  much  as  they  are  a 

*  Labat,  Relat,  de  1'Afriq.  Occident,  p.  j 1 


S64  ANIMALS  OF  THE 

and  they  deftroy  ten  times  more  than  they  bear  away.  Thelf 
manner  of  plundering  is  pretty  much  like  that  of  the  baboons, 
already  mentioned,  in  3  garden.  One  of  them  {lands  centinel 
upon  a  tree,  while  the  reft  are  plundering,  carefully  and  cau- 
tioufly  turning  on  every  fide,  but  particularly  to  that  on  which 
there  is  the  greateft  danger  :  in  the  mean  time,  the  reft  of  the 
fpoilers  purfue  their  work  with  great  filence  and  afliduiry  ,  they 
are  not  contented  with  the  firft  blade  of  corn,  or  the  fir  ft  cane 
that  they  happen  to    lay  their  hands  on  :    they  firft  pull   up 
fuch  as  appear  moft  alluring  to  the  eye  :  they  turn  it  round, 
examine,  compare  it  with  others,  and  if  they  find  it  to  their 
jnind,  ftick  it  under  one  of  their  moulders.  When  in  this  man- 
ner they  have  got  their  load,  they  begin  to  think  of  retreating  : 
but  if  it  mould  happen  that  the  owners  of  the  field   appear  to 
interrupt  their  depredations,  their  faithful  centinel  inftantly 
gives  notice,  by  crying  out,  houp,  houp,  houp ;  which  the  reft 
perfectly  underftand,  and  all  at  once  throwing  down  the  corn 
they  hold  in  the  left  hands,  fcamper  off  upon  three  legs,  car- 
rying the  remainder  in  the  right.  If  they  are  ftill  hotly  purfu- 
cd,  they  then  are  content  to  throw  down  their  whole  burthen, 
and  to  take  refuge  among  their  woods,  on  the  tops  of  which 
they  remain  in  perfect  fecurity. 

Were  we  to  give  faith  to  what  fome  travellers  aflure  us,  of 
the  government,  policies,  and  fubordination  pf  thefe  animals., 
\ve  might  perhaps,  be  taxed  with  credulity ;    but  we  have  no 
reafon  to  doubt  that  they  are  under  a  kind  of  difcipline,  which 
they  exercife  among  each  other.    They  are  generally  feen  to 
keep  together  in  companies,  to  march  in  exact  order,  and  to 
obey  the  voice  of  fome  particular  chieftain,  remarkable  for  his 
jfize  and  gravity.  One  fpecies  of  thefe,  which  mr.  Buffon  calls. 
the  ouarine,  and  which  are  remarkable  for  the  loudnefs  and  the 
diftinclnefs  of  their  voice,  are  ftill  more  fo  for  the  ufe  to  which 
they  convert  it.  "  I  have  frequently  been  a  witnefs,"  fays  Mar- 
grave, «  of  their  afiemblies  and  deliberations.  Every  day,  both 
jnorning  and  evening,  the  ouarines  aiTemble  in  the  woods  ta 
receive  inftructions.  When  all  come  together,  one  among  the 
number  takes  the  higheft  place  on  a  tree,  and  makes  a  figna.1 


MONKEY  KIND.  365 

with  his  hand  to  the  reft  to  fit  round,  in  order  to  hearken.  As 
foon  as  he  lees  them  placed,  he  begins  his  difcourie,   wk  <>     > 
loud  a  voice,  and  yet  in  a  manner  io  precipitate,  that  to  \ 
turn  at  a  diftance,  one  would  think  the  whole  company  were 
crying  out  at  the  fame  time  :  however,  during  that  time,  one 
only  is  fpeaking ;  and  all  the  reft  obferve   the  moft  profound 
filence.  When  this  has  done,  he  makes  a  fign  with  the  hand 
for  the  reft  to  reply ;  and  at  that  inftant  they  raife  their  voices 
together,  until,  by  another  fignal  of  the  hand,  they  are  enjoined 
iilence.  This  they  as  readily  obey;  till,  at  laft,  the  whole  aflem- 
bly  breaks  up,  after  hearing  a  repetition  of  the  fame  preach- 
ment." 

The  chief  food  of  the  monkey-tribe  is  fruits,  the  buds  of 
trees,  or  fucculent  roots  and  plants.  They  all,  like  man,  feem 
fond  of  fweets  ;  and   particularly  the  pleafant  juice  of  the 
palm-tree,  and  the  fugar-cane.  With  thefe  the  fertile  regions 
in  which  they  are  bred,  feldom  fail  to  fupply  them  ;  but  when 
it  happens  that  thefe  fail,  or  that  more  nouriming  food  be~ 
comes  more  agreeable,   they  eat  infects  and  worms  ;  and, 
fometimes  if  near  the  coaft,   defcend  to  the  fea-fhore,  where, 
they  eat  oyfters,  crabs  and  iliell-fifh.  Their  manner  of  manag- 
ing an  cyfter  is  extraordinary  enough ;  but  it  is  too  well  at- 
tefted,   to  fail  of  our  aiTent.     As  the   oyfters  in  the  tropic  J 
climates  are  generally  larger  than  with  us,  the  monkies,  when 
they  go  to  the  fea-fide,  pick  up  a  ftone,  and  clap  it  between  the. 
opening   (hells  :  this  prevents  them  from   clofing  -,  and  the 
monkey  then  eats  the  fiih  at  his  eafe.    They  often  alfo  dravr 
crabs  from  the  water,  by  putting  their  tail  to  the  hole  where 
that  animal  takes  refuge,  and  the  crab  faftening  upon  it,  t:ur 
withdraw  it  with  a  jerk,  and  thus  pull  their  prey  upon  more. 
This  habit  of  laying  traps  for  other  animals,  makes  them  very 
cautious  of  being  entrapped  themfelves  ;  and  I  am  allured,  by 
many  perfons  of  credit,  that  no  fnare,  how  nicely  baited  t\j- 
ever,  will  take  the  monkey  of  the  Weft-India  iflands  :  iur 
having  been  accuftomed  to  the  cunning  of  man,  \ 
its  natural  diftruil  to  human  artifice, 


3^6  ANIMALS  OF  THE 

The  monkey  generally  brings  forth  one  at  a  time,  and  fome- 
tim-s  two.  They  are  rarely  found  to  breed  \vhen  brought 
over  into  Europe  ;  but  of  thofe  that  do,  they  exhibit  a  very 
Striking  picture  of  parental  JiTedHon.  The  male  ana  female 
are  never  tired  of  fondling  their  young  one.  They  inftruft  it 
with  no  little  afliduity  ;  and  often  feverely  corredl  it,  if  itub- 
born,  or  difmclined  to  profit  by^their  example  :  they  hand  it 
from  .one  to  the  other  ;  and  when  the  male  has  done  mowing 
his  regard,, the  female  takes  her  turn.  When  wild  in  the  woods, 
the  female,  if  me  happens  to  have  two,  carries  one  on  her 
back,  and  the  other  in  her  arms  :  that  on  her  back  clings  very 
clofely,  clafping  its  hands  round  her  neck,  and  its  feet  about 
her  middle ;  when  me  wants  to  fuckle  it,  fhe  then  alters  her 
pofition  ;  and  that  which  has  been  fed,  gives  place  to  the  other, 
which  fhe  takes  in  her  arms.  It  often  happens  that  fhe  is  un- 
able to  lean  from  one  tree  to  another,  when  thus  loaden  ;  and 
upon  fuch  occafions,  their  dexterity  is  very  furprizing.  The 
whole  family  form  a  kind  of  chain,  locking  tail  in  tdil,  or 
hand  in  hand,  and  one  of  them  holding  the  branch  above,  the 
reft  fwing  down,  balancing  to  and  fro*,  like  a  pendulum,  un- 
til the  undermoft  is  enabled  to  catch  hold  of  the  lower  bran- 
ches of  fome  neighbouring  tree.  When  the  hold  is  fixed  below, 
the  monkey  lets  go  that  which  was  above,  and  thus  comes 
undermoft  in  turn ;  tut,  creeping  up  along  the  chain,  attains 
the  next  branches,  like  the  reft  ;  and  thus  they  all  take  pof- 
feffion  of  the  tree,  without  ever  coming  to  the  ground. 

When  in  a  ftate  o?  domeftic  tamencfs,  thofe  animals  are 
very  amufmg,  and  often  fill  up  a  vacant  hour,  when  other  en- 
tertainment is  v  anting.  There  are  few  that  are  not  acquainted 
with  their  various  mimicries,  and  their  capricious  fetes  of 
activity.  But  it  is  generally  in  company  with  other  animals 
of  a  more  fimple  difpofition  th  neks  :nid  fuperior  in- 

ftincls  are  mown  ;  they  feem  to  take  a  delight  in  tormenting 
them  ;  and  I  have  fecn  one  of  them  arn tiling  itfelf  for  hours  to 
gcthcr,  in  impofmg  upon  the  gravity  of  a  cat.  Erafmus  tells 
us  of  a  large  monkey,  kept  by  fir  Thomas  More,  that,  one  day- 
diverting  itfelf  in  his  garden,  where  fome  tame  rabbits  were 


MONKEY   KIND.  367 

kept,  played  fever al  of  its  ufual  pranks  among  them,  while  the 
rabbits  fcarce  well  knew  what  to  make  of  their  new  acquain- 
tance :  in  the  mean  time,  a  weafel  that  came  for  very  different 
purpofes  than  thofe  of  entertainment,  was  feen  peering  abooit 
the  place  in  which  the  rabbits  were  fed,  and  endeavouring  to 
make  its  way,  by  removing  a  board  that  clofed  their  hutch. 
While  the  monkey  faw  no  danger,  it  continued  a  calm  ipec- 
ntor  of  the  enemy's  efforts  ;  but  jufl  when,  by  long  labour, 
the  weafel  had  effected  its  purpofe,  and  had  removed  the  board, 
the  monkey  ftept  in,  and,  with  the  utmoft  dexterity,  fattened 
it  again  in  its  place  ;  and  the  difappointed  weafel  was  too 
much  fatigued  to  renew-  its  operations.  To  this  I  will  only  add 
what  Father  Carli,  in  his  hiftory  of  Angola,  affures  us  to  be 
true.  In  that  horrid  country,  where  he  went  to  convert  the 
lav-age  natives  to  chriftianity,  and  met  with  nothing  but  dif- 
appointment,  while  his  health  was  totally  impaired  by  the  rag- 
ing heats  of  climate,  his  patience  exhaufted  by  the  obftinacy 
of  the  ftupid  natives,  and  his  little  provifions  dailv  plundered, 
without  redrefs,  in  fuch  an  exigency  he  found  more  faithful 
fervices  from  the  monkies  than  the  men  ;  thefe  he  had  taught 
to  attend  him,  to  guard  him,  while  fleeping,  againft  thieves 
and  rats,  to  comb  his  head,  to  fetch  his  water ;  and  he  afferts, 
that  they  were  even  more  traceable  than  the  human  inhabi- 
tants of  the  place.  It  is  indeed  remarkable,  that  in  thofe  coun- 
tries where  the  men  are  inoft  barbarous  and  ftupid,  the  brutes 
are  mod  active  and  fagacious.  It  is  in  the  torrid  traces,  inha- 
bited by  barbarians,  that  fuch  various  animals  are  found  with 
inftinfts  fo  nearly  approaching  reafon.  The  favages  both  of 
Africa  and  America,  accordingly  fuppofe  monkies  to  be  men; 
idle,  flothful,  rational  beings  ;  capable  of  fpeech  and  conver- 
fation,  but  obftinately  dumb,  for  fear  of  being  compelled  to 
labour. 

As  of  all  favages,  thofe  of  Africa  are  the  moft  brutal,  fo, 
of  all  countries,  the  monkies  of  Africa  are  the  moft  expert 
and  entertaining.  The  monkies  of  America  are,  in' general, 
neither  fo  fagacious  nor  fo  traceable,  nor  is  their  form  fo  near- 
ly approaching  tliat  of  mail.  The  monkies  of  the  new  con- 


ANIMALS   OF  THE 

tinent,  may  be  very  eafily  diflinguifhed  from  thofe  of  the  olcf^ 
by  three  marks.  Thofe  of  the  ancient  continent  are  univer- 
fally  found  to  have  a  naked  callous  fubftance  behind,  upon 
which  they  fit  ;  which  thofe  of  America  are  entirely  wachout  5 
thofe  alfo  of  the  ancient  continent  have  the  noflrils  differently 
formed,  more  refembling  thofe  of  men,  the  holes  opening 
downwards  ;  whereas  the  American  monkies  have  them  open- 
ing on  each  fide  ;  thofe  of  the  ancient  world,  have  pouches  on 
each  fide  the  jaw,  into  which  they  put  their  provisions,  which 
thofe  of  America  are  without  :  laftly,  none  of  the  monkies  of 
the  ancient  continent  hang  by  the  tail,  which  many  of  the 
American  forts  are  known  to  do.  By  thefe  marks,  the  monkies 
ef  either  continent,  may  be  readily  diftinguiihed  from  each 
other,  and  prized  accordingly.  The  African  monkey,  as  I  am 
affured,  requires  a  longer  education,  and  more  correction, 
than  that  of  America  ;  but  it  is  at  laft  found  capable  of  more 
various  powers  of  imitation,  and  fhows  a  greater  degree  of 
gunning  and  activity. 

Mr.  Buffon,  who  has  examined  this  race  of  imitative  be- 
ings with  greater  accuracy  than  any  other  naturalifl  before 
him,  makes  but  nine  fpecies  of  monkies  belonging  to  the  an- 
cient continent  ;  and  eleven  belonging  to  the  new.  To  all 
thefe,  he  gives  the  names  which  they  go  by,  in  their  refpec- 
tive  countries  ;  which,  undoubtedly,  is  the  method  lefs  liable 
to  error,  and  the  moll  proper  for  imitation. 

Of  the  monkies  of  the  ancient  continent,  the  firft,  he  de- 
fcribes,  is  the  macaguo  ;  fomewhat  refembling  a  baboon  in 
fize,  ftrength  of  body,  and  a  hideous  wrinkled  vifage  :  it  dif- 
fers, however,  in  having  a  very  long  tail,  which  is  covered 
tufted  hair.  It  is  a  native  of  Congo. 


The  fecond  is  the  patas,  which  is  about  the  fame  fize  with 
the  former  ;  but  differs,  in  having  a  longer  body,  and  a  face 
lefs  hideous  ;  it  is  particularly  remarkable  for  the  colour  of  its 
hair,  which  is  of  a  red,  fo  brilliant,  that  the  animal  looks  as 
if  it  were  actually  painted.  It  is  ufually  brought  from  Sene* 
jal  i  and  by  fome,  called  the  red  African  monkey. 


•t- 


MONKEY  KIND. 

The  third  of  the  ancient  continent  is  the  malbrouk;  of  which 
fie  fuppofes  the  monkey  which  he  calls  the  bonct  chinois  to 
he  a  variety*  The  one  is  remarkable  for  a  long  tail,  and  long 
beard  ;  the  other,  for  a  cap  of  hair,  thai;  covers  the  crown  o£ 
the  head,  from  whence  it  takes  the  name.  Both  are  natives 
•of  the  Eafl-Irrdies  j  and  the  Bramins,  who  extend  their  chari- 
ty to  all  the  brute  creation,  have  hofpitals  for  fuch  of  them 
as  happen  to  be  Tick,  or  otherwife  difabled. 

The  fourth  of  this  kind,  is  the  mangabey  ;  this  may  be 
tHfting-uimed  from  all  others,  by  its  'eyelids,  which  are  naked, 
and  of  a  (Inking  whitenefs.  It  is  a  native  of  Madagascar. 

The  fifth  is  the  mona,  or  the  cephtis  of  the  ancients :  it  is 
diftinguimed  by  its  colour,  which  is  variegated  with  black  and 
red  ;  and  its  tail  is  of  an  aih-colour,  with  two  white  fpots  on 
«ach  fide,  at  its  infertion.  It  is  a  native  of  the  northern  parts 
of  Africa. 

The  fixth  is  the  callitrix,  or  green  monkey  of  St.  lago  j 
diftinguifhed  by  its  beautiful  green  colour  on  the  back,  its 
\vhite  breaft  and  belly,  and  its  black  face. 

The  feventh  is  the  mouftoc,  or  white  nofe  5  diflmguifhed 
by  the  whitenefs  of  its  lips,  from  \vhence  it  has  received  its 
name,  the  reft  of  the  face  being  of  a  deep  blue.  It  is  a  na- 
tive of  the  Gold  Coalt,  and  a  very  beautiful  little  animal. 

The  eighth  is  the  talapoin  ;  and  maybe  diftinguimed  as  well 
by  its  beautiful  variety  of  green,  white,  and  yellow  hair,  as  by 
that  under  the  eyes,  being  of  a  greater  length  than  the  'reft. 
It  is  fuppofed  to  be  a  native  of  Africa  and  the  Eaft. 

The  ninth  and  laft  of  the  monkies  of  the  ancient  conti- 
nent, is  the  douc,  fo  called  in  Cochin-China,  of  which  coun- 
try it  is  a  native.  The  douc  feems  to  unite  the  characters  of 
all  the  former  together  :  with  a  long  tail,  like  the  monkey  ; 
of  a  fize  as  large  as  the  baboon  •,  and  with  a  flat  face,  like  "the 
ape :  it  even  refembles  the  American  monkies,  in  having  no 
callofity  on  its  pofteriors.  Thus  it  fecms  to  form  the  flwde  by 

VOL.  II.  3  A 


ANIMALS  OF  THE 

'w^ich  the  monkies  of"  one  continent  are  linked  with  thofe  of 
the  other. 

N^ext  come  the  monkies  of  "the  new  continent  -,  which,  a& 
hath  been  laid,  differ  from  thofe  of  the  old,  in  the  make  of 
their  noitrils,  in  their  having  no  calloiity  on  their  pofteriors, 
and  in  their  having  no  pouches  on  each  fide  of  the  jaw.  They 
differ  alfo  from  each  other,  a  part  of  them  making  no  ufe  of 
their  tails  to  hang  by  5  while  others  of  "them  have  the  tVil  very. 
fbrong  and  'mufcular,  and  ferving  by  "way  of  a  fifth  hand  to 
hold  by.  Thofe  with  "m-ufcular  holding  tails,  are  called  fopa- 
jous  ;  thofe  with  feeble, -ufelefs  tails,  are  called  fagoins.  Of 
the  fapajous  there  are  five  forts  :  of  the  fagoins  there  are  fix. 

The  firft  of  the  fapnjous  is  the  warine,  or  the  BrafiJian  Gu- 
ariba.  T;  -y  is  as  large  as  a  fox,  with  long  hla-ek  hair, 

and  reinarbibk  fcr  chf  Joiulncfs  of  its  voice.    It  is  the  largeft 
of  the  monkey  kind  to  be  found  in  America; 

Thr.    feeortd  is 'the -coaiti  ;  -which  may    be  diftinguifhed 

fiom  cT:e  r-:;l;,  by  b.ix  ing  no  thumb,  and  confequeritly,  but  four 

-  two  fore  paws.  The  tail,  however,  fupplies  the 

dot;  hand  j  and  with  this  the  animal  flings  itfelf  from 

•ee  to  uaother, "with  furprizing  rapidity. 

The  thr'd  is  the  faiov  •,  diftinguiflied  from  the  reft  of  the 
fapajous,  by  itb  yellowiili,  fleih-coloured  face. 

ourth  is  the  fa i.  It  is  fornewhat  larger  than  the  fajou, 
and  has  a  broader  muzzle.  It  is  alfo  called  the  bewailer  ;  from 
its  peculiar  manner  of  lamenting,  when  either  -threatened  or 
beaten. 

'ic  fifth  and  la  ft  of  the  fap.jou  kind,  or  mcmkres  that  hold 
by  the  tail,  is  the  famiri,  or  aurora  ;  which  is  the  fmalleft  and 

movt  beautiful  of  all.  It  is  of  a  line  orange  colour,  with 
two -circles  of  flefh  round  the  eyes.  It  is  a  very  tender,  delicate 
animal,  and  held  in  high  price. 

Of  the  fagoins  with  feeble  tails,  there  are  fix  kinds.  The 
grft  aud -the  largeft,  is  the  iaki^or  ca-ui ;  fo  remarkable  for 


MONKEY  KIND.  371 

the  length  of  the  hair  on  its  tail,  that  it  has  been  often  termed 
the  fox-tailed  monkey.  It  is  of  different  fizes  ;  fome  being 
twice  as  large  as  others. 

The  fecond  of  this-  kind  is  the  tamaim ;  which  is  ufually 
black,  with  the  feet  yellow.  Some,  ho -A  ever,  are  lound  all  ov^r 
brown,  fpotted  with  yellow. 

The  third  is  the  wiftiu  ;  remarkable  for  the -large  tufts  c£ 
hair  upon  its  face,  audits  annulaced  tail. 

The  fourth  is  the  marikina  ;  with  a  mane  round  the  neck*, 
and  a  bunch  of  h  -,ir  at  the  end  of  the  tail;  like  a  lion. 

The  fifth  is  called  the  pinch ;  with,  the  face  of  a  beautiful 
black,  and  white  hair  that  defeends  on  each  £ide  of -the  face* 
like  that  of  man. 

The  laft,  lead,  and  moft  beautiful  of  all/ is  the  mico,  an 
animal  too  curioufly  adorned,  not  to  demand  a  particular  de- 
fcripiion  ;  which  is  thus  given  of  it,  hy  mr,  Condamine. 

<f  That,"  fays  he,  <*  which  the  governor  of  Para  made  m« 
a  prefent  of,  was  the  only  one  of  its  kind  that  was  feen  in  the 
country.  The  hair  on  its  body  was  of  a  beautiful  filver  colour,, 
brighter  than  that  of  the  moil  venerable  human,  hair  :.-while 
the  tail  was  of  a  deep  brown,. inclining  to  blacknefs..  It  had 
another  fmgularity,  more  remarkable  than  the  former ;  its  ears> 
its  cheeks,  and  lips,  were  tinctured  with  fo  bright  a  vermil- 
lion,  that  one  could  fcarce  be  led  to  fuppofe  that  it  was  natu* 
raL  I  kept  it  a  year ;  and  it  was  ftili  alive  when  I  made  this 
defcription  of  it,  almoft  within  fight  of  the  coafts  of  France  t 
all  I  could  then  do,  was  to  preferve  it  in  fpirits  of  wine,  which 
might  ferve  to  keep  it  in  fuch  a  itate.  as  to  {how  that  I  did  not: 
in  the  leaft  exaggerate  in  my  defcriptioiu" 


O  ?    THE    M A  K  L 

THE  laft  of  the  monkey  kind  are  the  makies;  which  have 
no  other  pretenfions  to  be  placed  in  this  clafsj  except  that  oL 


372  ANIMALS  OF  THE 

having  hands  like  the  former,  and  making  life  of  them  fo* 
climb  trees,  or  to  pluck  their  food.  Animals  of  the  hare  kind,, 
indeed,  are  often  feen  to  feed  themfelves  with  their  fore  paws, 
but  they  can  hold  nothing  in  one  of  them  fingly,  and  are  oblig- 
ed to  take  up  whatever  they  eat  in-  both  at  once  :  but  it  is 
©therwife  with  the  maki  ;  as  well  as  the  monkey  kinds,  they 
feize  their  food  with  one  hand,,  pretty  much  like  a  man,  and 
grafp  it  with  great  eafe  and  firmnefs.  The  maki,  therefore,, 
from  this  conformation  in  its  hands,  both  before  and  behind, 
approaches  nearly  to  the  monkey  kind  j  but,  in  other  refpeclis, 
fuch  as  the  make  of  the  fnout,  the  form  of  the  ears,  and  the 
parts  that  diftinguKh  the  fexes,  it  entirely  differs  from  them. 
There  are  many  different  kinds  of  thefe  animals  all  varying 
from  each  other  in  colour  or  fize,  but  agreeing  in  the  human- 
like figure  of  their  hands  and  feet,  and  in  their  long  nofe, 
which  fomewhat  refembles  that  of  a  dog.  As  moft  of  thefe 
are  bred  in  the  depths  of  the  foreir,  we  know  little  more  con- 
cerning them  than  their  figure.  Their  way  of  living,  their 
power  of  purfuit  and  efcape,  can  only  be  fappofed,  from  the 
analogy  of  their  conformation,  fomewhat  to  referable  thofe  of 
the  monkey. 

The  firft  of  this  kind  is  the  mococo  ;  a  beautiful  animal^ 
about  the  fize  of  a  common  cat,  but  the  body  and  limbs  flen- 
derer,  and  of  a  longer  make.  It  has  a  very  long  tail,,  at  lead 
double  the  length  of  its  body ;  it  is  covered  with  fur,  and  mark- 
ed alternately  with  broad  rings  of  black  and  white.  But,  what 
it  is  chiefly  remarkable  for,  befides  the  form  of  its  hands  and 
feet,  is  the  largenefs  of  its  eyes,  which  are  furrounded  with  a 
broad  black  fpace ;  and  the  length  of  the  hinder  legs,  which 
by  far  exceed  thofe  before.  When  it  fleeps,  it  brings  its  nofe 
to  its  belly,  and  its  tail  over  its  head.  When  it  plays,  it  ufes  a 
fort  of  galloping,  with  its  tail  raifed  over  its  back,  which  keeps 
continually  in  motion.  The  head  is  covered  with  dark  afh- 
coloured  hair  ;  the  back  and  fides,  with  a  red-afh  colour,  and 
not  fo  dark  as  on  the  head  ;  and  the  whole  gloffy,  foft,  and 
delicate,  fmooth  to  the  touch,  and  {landing  almoft  upright, 
like  the  pile  of  velvet.  It  is  a  native  of  Madagascar  j  appears 


MONKEY  KIND.  -373 

to  be  a  harmlefs  gentle  animal ;  and  though  it  refembles  the 
monkey  in  many  refpec~h,  it  has  neither  its  malice  nor  its  mif~ 
chief  :  neverthelefs,  like  the  monkey,  it  feerns  to  be  always  in 
motion  ;,  and  moves,  like  all  four-handed  animals,  in  an  ob- 
lique direction. 

A  fecond  of  this  kind,  which  is  alfo  a  native  of  Madagaf- 
car,  is  the  mongooz ;  which  is  lefs  than  the  former  ;  with  a. 
foft,  glofly  robe,  but  a  little  curled.  The  nofe  alfo  is  thicker 
than  that  of  the  mococo  ;  the  eyes  are  black,  with  orange- 
coloured  circles  round  the  pupil  ;  and  the  tail  is  of  one  uni- 
form colour.  As  to  the  reft,  it  is  found  of  various  colours^ 
fome  being  black,  others  brown  5  and  its  actions  fomewhat 
refemble  thofe  of  a  monkey. 

The  vari  is  much  larger  than  either  of  the  former ;  its  hair 
is  much  longer,  and  it  has  a  kind  of  ruff  round  the  neck  con- 
fiding of  very  long  hair,  by  which  it  may  be  eafily  diftinguiftied 
from  the  reft.  It  differs  alfo  in  its  difpofition,  which  is  fierce 
and  favage  ;  as.  alfo  in  the  Joudnefs  of  its  voice,  which  fome- 
what refemhles  the  roaring  of  the  lion.  This  alfo  is  a  native  of 
Madagafcar. 

To  this  tribe  we  may  refer  a  little  four-handed  animal,  of  the 
ifland  of  Ceylon,  which  mr.  BuiFon  calls  the  lori  j  very  re- 
markable for  the  fmgularity  of  its  figure.  This  is,  of  all  other 
animals,  the  longeft,  in  proportion  to  its  fize;  having  nine  ver- 
tebne  in  the  loins ;  whereas  other  quadrupeds  have  only  fe- 
ven*.  The  body  appears  ftill  the  longer,  by  having  no  tail.  In 
other  refpe£b,  it  refembles  thofe  of  the  maki  kind  ;  as  well  in 
its  hands  and  feet,  as  in  its  fnout,  and  in  the  glofTy  qualities  of 
its  hair.  It  is  about  the  fize  of  a  fc-uirrel ;  and  appears  to  be  a 
lame,  harmlefs  little  animal. 

*  BufFon,  v»l.  xxvl.  p,  274., 


374  ANIMALS   OF  THE 


OF  THE  OPPOSSUM,  AND   ITS  KINDS. 

TO  thefe  four-handed  animals  of  the  ancient  continent, 
we  may  add  the  four-handed  animals  of  the  new,  that  ufc 
their  hands  like  the  former,  as  well  as  their  tails,  and  that  fiH 
up  the  chafm  between  the  monkey  tribe  and  the  lower  orders 
of  the  foreft.  As  the  maki  kind  in  fome  meafure  feem  to 
unite  the  fox  and  the  monkey  in  their  figure  and  fize,  fo  tliefe 
feem  to  unite  the  monkey  and  the  rat.  They  are  all  lefs  than 
the  former  ;  they  have  long  tails,  almoft  bare  of  hair ;  and 
their  fur,  as  well  as  their  fhape,  feems  to  place  them  near  the 
rat  kind.  Some  have  accordingly  ranked  them  in  that  cfo.fs  ; 
but  their  being  four-handed,  is  a  fuincient  reafon  for  placing 
them  in  the  rear  of  the  mcnkies. 

The  firfl  and  the  molt  remarkable  of  this  tribe  is  the  oppof- 
fum,  an  animal  found  both  in  North  and  South  America,  of  the 
lize  of  a  fmall  cat.  The  head  refembles  that  of  a  fox ;  it  has 
fifty  teeth  in  all  ;  but  two  great-ones  in  the  midft,  like  thofe 
of  a  rat.  The  eyes  are  little,  round,  clear,  lively,  and  placed 
upright  -,  the  ears  are  long,  broad,  and  tranfparent,  like  thofe 
of  the  rat  kind  ;  its  tail  alfo  increafes  the  fimilitude,  being 
round,  long,  a  little  hairy  in  the  beginning,  but  quite  naked 
towards  the  end.  The  fore  legs  are  fhort,  being  about  three 
inches  long  ;  while  thofe  behind  are  about  four.  The  feet  are 
like  hands,  each  having  five  toes  or  fingers,  with  white  crooked 
nails,  and  rather  longer  behind  than  before.  But  it  is  particu- 
hr  in  this  animal,  that  the  thumb  on  the  hinder  legs  wants  a 
nail  ;  whereas  the  fingers  are  furnifhed  with  clawed  nails  as 
ufual. 

But  that  which  diftinguimes  this  animal  from  all  others, 
and  what  has  excited  the  wonder  of  mankind  for  more  than 
two  centuries,  is  the  extraordinary  conformation  of  its  belly,, 
as  it  is  found  to  have  a  falfe  womb,  into  which  the  young,  when 
brought  forth  in  -the  ufual  manner,  creep,  and  continue  for 
fome  days  longer,  to  lodge  and  fuckle  fecurely.  This  bag,  if 


MONKEY  KIXD.  375 

iviay  fo  call  it,  being  one  of  the  moft  extraordinary  things 
iit  natural  hiitory,  requires  a  more  minute  defcription.  Under 
the  be.ly  of  the  female  is  a  kind  of  flit  or  opening,  of  about 
three  ''->ng5  this  opening  is  compofed  of  a  fidn,  which 

makes  a  bag  internally,  which  is  covered  on  the  infide  with  hair, 
and  in  ;  ure  the  tents  of  the  female  $  and  into  it  the 

young,  when  brought  forth,  retire,  either  to  fuckle  or  to  efcapc 
irom  danger,  This  bag  has  a  power  of  opening  and  (hutting, 
at  the  will  of  the  animal ;  and  this  is  performed  by  means  oi 
fsveral  mufcles,  and-two  bones,  that  are  fitted  for  this  purpofe, 
and  tha:  :uliar  to  this  animal  only.  Thefe  two  bones 

are  placed  before  the  os  pubis,  to  which  they  are  joined  at  the 
jy  nre  about  two  inches  long,  and  grow  fmaller  and 
iaialler  to  rfieir  extremities.  Tfeefe  fupport  the  mufcles  that 
ferve  to  cpen  the  bag,  and  give  them  a  fixture.  To  thefe  muf- 
iherc  are  antagonifts,  that  ferve,  in  the  £ime  manner,  to 
{hut  the  bag  •,  and  this  they  perform  fo  exactly,  that  in  the 
living  animal  the  opening  can  fcarce  be  difcerned,  except 
when  the  fides  are  forcibly  drawn  afandcr.  The  infide  of 
this  bag  is  furnifhed  with  glands,  that  exude  a  m-ufky  fub- 
ftance,  which  communicates  to  the  fleih  of  the  animal,  an-d 
renders  it  -unfit  to  be  eaten.  It  is  not  to  be  fuppofed  that  this 
is  the  place  where  the  young  are  conceived,  as  fome  have  been 
led  to  imagine  ;-for  the  oppoflum  has  another  womb,  like  that 
of  the  generality  of  animals,  in  which  generation  is  per- 
formed in  the  ordinary  manner.  The  bag  we  have  been  de- 
fcribing,  may  rather  be  confidered  as  a  fupplemental  womb. 
In  the  real  womb,  the  little  animal  is  partly  brought  to  per- 
fection ;  in  the  ordinary  one,  it  receives  a  kind  of  additional 
incubation  ;  and  acquires,  at  laft,  flrength  enough  to  follow 
the  dam  wherever  (lie  goes.  We  have  many  reafons  to  fup- 
pofe  that  the  young  of  this  animal  are  all  brought  forth  pre- 
maturely, or  before  they  have  acquired  that  degree  of  per- 
fection, which  is  common  in  other  quadrupeds.  The  little 
ones,  when  firft  produced,  are  in  a  manner  but  half  comple- 
ted ;  and  fome  travellers  aflert,  that  they  are,  at  that  time,  not 
much  larger  than  flies.  We  are  allured  aUb,  that  inunedia^elj 


3?<*  ANIMALS  OF  THE 

on  quitting  the  real  womb,  they  creep  into  the  Falfe  Ofte  $ 
"where  they  continue  fixed  to  the  teat,  until  they  have  ftrength 
fufficient  to  venture  once  more  into  the  open  air,  and  (hare  the 
fatigues  of  the  parent.  Ulioa  aflures  us,  that  he  has  found  five 
of  thefe  little  creatures  hidden  in  the  belly  of  the  dam  three 
<3ays  after  fire  was  dead,  ftill  alive,  and  all  clinging  to  the  teat 
tvith  great  avidity.    It  is  probable,  therefore,  that  upon  their 
firft  entering  the  falfe  womb,  they  feldom  ftir  out  from  thence  j 
but  when  more  advanced,  they  venture  forth  feveral  times  in 
the  'day ;  and,  at  laft,  feldom  make  ufe  of  their  retreat,  except 
in  cafes  of  neceffity  or  danger.    Travellers  are  not  agreed  in 
their  accounts  of  the  time  which  thefe  animals  take  to  con- 
tinue in  the  falfe  womb  ;  fome  affure  us,  they  remain  there 
for  feveral  weeks  ;  and  others,   more   precifely   mention  a 
month.    During  this  period  of  ftrange  geilation,  there  is  no 
difficulty  in  -opening  the  bag  in  which  they  are  concealed  j 
they  may  be  reckoned,  examined,  and  handled  without  much 
inconvenience  5  for  they  keep  fixed  to  the  teat,  and  cling  there 
as  firm  as  if  they  made  a  part  of  the  body  of  the  animal  that 
bears  them.  When  they  are  grown  ftronger,  they  drop  from 
the  teat  into  the  bag  in  which  they  are  contained  ;  and,  at  laft, 
find  their  way  out,  in  fearch  of  more  copious  fubfiftence.  Still, 
however,  the  falfe  belly  ferves  them  for  a  retreat ;  either  when 
they  want  to  fleep  or  to  fuckle,  or  when  they  are  purfued  by  an 
enemy.  The  dam,  on  fuch  occafions,  opens  her  bag  to  receive 
them,  which  they  enter, 

.«.  Pars  Formidine  turpi 

Scandunt  rurfus  equum  et  notu  conduntur  in  alvo. 

The  oppoflum  when  on  the  ground,  is  a  flow,  hdplefs  ani- 
Bial ;  the  formation  of  its  hands  are  alone  fufficient  to  {how 
its  incapacity  of  running  with  any  degree  of  fwiftnefs  :  but, 
to  counterbalance  this  inconvenience,  it  climbs  trees  with  great 
eafe  and  expedition*.  It  chiefly  fubfifts  upon  birds  ;  and  hides 
among  the  leaves  of  the  trees,  to  feize  them  by  furprize.  It 

*  Buflfon,  vol.  xxi.  p.  174* 


PlatrXXXIV. 


Female  Oppossum 


MONJCEY   KIND.  377 

alfo  hangs  by  the  tail,  which  is  long  and  mufcular ; 
•and,  in  this  fituation,  for  hours  together,  with  the  head  down- 
wards, it  keeps  watching  for  its  prey.  If  any  leffer  animal, 
which  it  is  able  to  overcome,  paffes  underneath,  it  drops  upon 
it  with  deadly  aim,  and  quickly  devours  it.  By  means  of  its 
tail,  the  oppofTum  alfo  flings  from  one  tree  to  another,  hunts 
infe£b,efcapes  its  purfuers,  and  provides  for  its  fafety.  It  feems 
to  be  a  creature  that  lives  upon  vegetables,  as  well  as  animal 
fubftances,  roots,  fugar-canes,  the  bark,  and  even  the  leaves  of 
trees,.  It  is  eafily  tamed,  but  it  is  a  difagreeable  domeftic,  as 
well  from  its  ftupidity  and  figure^  as  its  fcent,  which,  however 
fragrant  in  fmall  quantities,  fails  not  to  be  ungrateful  when 
^opioufly  fupplied. 

An  animal  greatly  refembling  the  "former*,  is  the  marmofe, 
which  is  found  in  the  fame  continent.  It  feems  only  to  differ 
in  fize,  being  lefs ;  and,  inftead  of  a  bag  to  receive  its  young, 
lias  only  two  longitudinal  folds  near  the  thighs,  within  which, 
the  young,  which  are  prematurely  brought  forth,  as  in  the  lad 
inftance,  continue  to  fuckle.  The  young  of  thefe,  when  firfl 
produced,  are  not  above  the  fize  of  a  bean  j  but  continue 
(ticking  to  the  teat,  until  they  have  arrived  at  greater  matu- 
rity, 

The  cayopolin  is  fomewhat  larger  than  the  former  j  and  a 
good  deal  refembling  it  in  habits  and  figure,  except  that  its 
inout  is  more  pointed,  its  tail  longer  in  proportion,  and  its 
colour  different,  being  of  an  am,  foi»;ewhat  inclining  to  yel- 
low; however,  I  ihould  fuppofe  it  to  be  only  a  variety  of  the 
former. 

To  this  number  we  may  add  the  phalanger,  fo  called  by 
mr.  Buffon;  a  good  deal  refembling  the  former,  but  diftin- 
guiihed  by  the  famion  of  its  hinder  hands  :  the  thumb  arid 
the  fore  finger  being  joined  together,  except  at  the  extremi- 
ties. This  animal  is  about  the  fize  of  a  rat ;  and  has  accor- 
dingly, by  fome,  been  called  the  rat  of  Surinam. 

The  laft  animal  of  this  clafs,  is  called  by  mr.  Buffbn,  the 
*  Eufflm,  vol.  xri.  p.  2  la, 

VOL.  II.  3  B 


r  / 


3  AN   HISTORY   OF 


tar  Her.  This  extraordinary  little  animal  refembles  the  former,, 
in  having  four  hands,  and  a  long  tail  j  but  it  differs  very  much 
in  the  extreme  length  of  its  hinder  legs,  which  are  longer 
than  the  reft  of  its  whole  body.  The  bones  of  that  part  of  the 
foot  called  the  tarfus.  are  likewife  fo  very  long,  that  from 
thence  the  animal  has  received  its  name  :  the  tail  is  naked  in 
the  middle,  and  hairy  only  at  both  extremities ;  its  hair  is 
woolly,  feft,  and  of  a  deep  afh  colour,  As  to  the  reft,  it  is  un- 
known from  what  country  this  animal  was  brought ;  but  the 
naturalift  from  whom  we  have  its  description,  fuppofes  it  to  be 
a  native  of  America, 

From  this  general  defcription  of  four-handed  animals,  we 
perceive  what  few  advantages  the  brute  creation  derive  from 
thofe  organs,  that,  in  man,  are  employed  to  ib  many  great  and 
ufcful  purpofes.  The  being  able  to  pluck  their  food  from  the 
trees,  the  capacity  of  clinging  among-the  branches,  or  at  moft 
of  converting  one  of  thofe  branches  into  a  weapon  of  offence, 
are  the  higheft  ftretches  of  their  fagacity,  and  the  only  ufe 
their  hands  have  hitherto  been  employed  in :  and  yet,  fome 
fuperficial  men  have  aiferted,  that  the  hands  alone  are  fufficient 
to  vindicate  the  dominion  of  mankind  over  other  animals  ; 
and  that  much  of  his  boafted  reafon,  is  nothing  more  than  the 
refult  of  his  happier  conformation  :  however,  were  this  fo, 
an  ape  or  a  monkey  would  in  fome  mftances  be  more  rational 
than  we  ;  their  fingers  are  fmaller,  and,  in  fome  of  them,  more 
finely  formed  than  ours.  To  what  a  variety  of  purpofes  might 
they  not  be  employed,  if  their  powers  were  properly  exerted  I 
Thofe  works  which  we,  from  thelargenefs  of  our  fingers,  are 
obliged  to  go  clumfily  about,  one  of  thefe  could  very  eafily 
perform  with  the  utmoft  exa&nefs  ;  and  if  the  finenefs  of 
the  hand  aflifted  reafon,  an  ape  Would  be  one  of  the  nioft  rea- 
fonable  beings  in  the  creation.  But  thefe  admirably  formed 
machines,  are  almoft  ufelefs  both  to  mankind  and  themfelves  ; 
and  contribute  little  more  to  the  happinefs  of  animal  life,  than 
the  paws  of  the  loweft  quadruped.  They  are  fupplied,  indeed, 
with  the  organs  ;  but  they  want  the  mind,  to  put  them  into 
action  4  it  is  that  reafoning  principle  alone,  with  which  man 


THE  ELEPHANT.  379- 

Ras  been  endowed,  that  can  adapt  feemingly  oppofite  caufe.<, 
to  concur  in  the  fame  general  defign  ;  and  even  where  the 
organs  are  deficient,  that  can  fupply  their  place,  by  the  inter- 
vention of  affiitin  T  inftruments.  Where  reafon  prevails,  we 
find  that  it  fcarcely  matters  what  the  organs  are  that  give  it  the 
direction  5  the  being  furniQied  with  that  principle*  ftill  goes 
forward,  fleadily  and  uniformly  fuccefsful ;  breaks  thrc 
every  obftacle,  and  becomes  mailer  of  every  enterprize.  I 
have  feen  a  man,  without  hands  or  legs,  convert  by  practice, 
his  very  flumps  to  the  mod  convenient  purpofes ;  and  with 
thefe  clumfy  inftruments,  perform  the  moil  aftoniming  feats 
of  dexterity.  We  may,  therefore,  conclude,  that  it  is-  the  mind 
alone  that  gives  a  matter  to  the  creation ;  and  that,  if  a  beap 
or  a  horfe  were  endoved  with  the  fame,  intellects  that  have 
been  given  to  man,  the  hardnefs  of  a  hoof,  or  the  aukwardnefs 
of  a  paw,  would  be  no  obftade  to  their  advancement  in  the 
arts  of  dominion,  or  focial  felicity. 


CHAP.     XVII. 

Of  tie  Elephant. 

HAVING  gone  through  the  defcription  of  thofe  quadra* 
peds,  that,  by  refembling  each  other  in  fome  linking 
particular,  admit  of  being  grouped  together,  and  confidered 
under  one  point  of  view,  we  now  come  to  thofe  infulated 
forts  that  bear  no  fimilitude  with  the  reft,  and  triat  to  be  dif-. 
tin&ly  defcribcd  mud  be  feparatcly  coniidered. 

The  foremoft  of  thefe,  antf  in  every  refpe£r,  the  nobleft 
cfuadruped  in  nature,  is  the  elephant,  not  lefs  remarkable  for 
its  fize  than  its  docility  and  underftanding.  All  hiftorians  con- 
cur in  giving  it  the  character  of  the  moft  fagacious  animal 
next  to  man  ;  and  yet,  were  we  to  take  our  idea  of  its  capacity 
from  its  outward  appearance,  we  mould  be  led  to  conceive  vc-. 
ry  meanly  of  his  abilities..  The  elephant,  at  firft  view  .prefects 


3*0  AN  HISTORY  OF 

the  fpe&ator  with  an  enormous  mafs  of  flelh  that  feems  fearer- 
ly  animated.  Its  huge  body,  covered  with  a  callous  hide,  with- 
out hair  ;  its  large  mifhapen  legs,  that  feem  fcarcely  formed 
for  motion  ;  its  little  eyes,  large  ears,  and  long  trunk  ;  all  give 
it  an  air  of  extreme  ftupidity.  But  our  prejudices  will  foon 
fubfide  when  we  come  to  examine  its  hiftory ;  they  will  even 
ferve  to  increafe  our  furprize  when  we  confider  the  various 
advantages  it  derives  from  fo  clumfy  a  conformation. 

The  elephant  is  feen  from  feven  to  no  lefs  than  fifteen  feet 
high.  Whatever  care  we  take  to  imagine  a  large  animal  before- 
hand, yet  the  firft  fight  of  this  huge  creature,  never  fails  to 
itrike  us  with  aftonifhment,  and  in  fome  meafure  ,to  exceed 
our  idea.  Having  been  ufed  to  fmaller  animals,  we  have  fcarce 
any  conception  of  its  magnitude;  for  a  moving  column' of  ftefh, 
fourteen  feet  high,  is  an  objcft  fo  utterly  different  from  thofe- 
we  are  conftantly  prefented  with,  that  to  be  conceived  it  muil 
be  actually  feen.  Such,  I  own,  were  the  fuggeflions  that  natu- 
rally arofe  to  me  when  I  firil  faw  this  animal,  and  yet  for  the 
fi'Jht  of  which  I  had  taken  care  to  prepare  my  imagination.  I 
found  my  ideas  fall  as  fhort  of  its  real  fize,  as  they  did  of  its 
real  figure ;  neither  the  pictures  I  had  feen,  nor  the  defcrip- 
tions  I  had  read,  gave  me  adequate  conceptions  of  either. 

It  would,  therefore,  be  irrpoilible  to  give  an  idea  of  this  ani- 
mal's figure  by  a  defcripdon;  which,  even  affifted  by  the  art  of 
the  engraver,  will  but  confufedly  reprefent  the  original.  In 
general,  it  may  be  obferved,  that  the  forehead  is  very  high  and 
rifing,  tn^ears  very  large  and  dependant,  the  eyes  extremely 
fmall,  the  probofcis,  or  trunk,  long,  the  body  round  and  full, 
the  back  rifing  in  an  arch,  and  the  whole  animal  fhort  in  pro- 
portion to  its  height.  The  feet  are  round  at  the  bottom;  on 
each  foot  there  are  five  flat  horny  rifings,  which  feem  to  be  the 
extremities  of  the  toes,  but  up  not  appear  outwardly.  The  hide 
is  without  hair,  full  of  fcrafches  and  fcares,  which  it  receives 
in  its  palTage  through  thick  woods  and  thorny  places.  At  the 
end  of  the  tail,  there  is  a  tu/t  of  hair,  a  foot  and  a  half  long. 
Tfce  female  is  lefs  than  the  male,  and  the  udder  is  between  the 


THE  ELEPHANT.  3** 

forelegs.  But  a  more  accurate,  as  v.rell  as  a  more  entertaining, 
defcription  of  the  parts,  will  natural y  occur  in  the  hiftory  of 
their  ufes. 

Of  all  quadrupeds,  the  elephant  is  the  ftrongeft,.  as  well  as 
the  large  ft  ;  and  yet,  in  a  (late  of  nature,  it  is  neither  fierce  nor 
formidable*.  Mild,  peaceful,  and  brave,  it  never  abufes  its  pow- 
er or  its  ftrength,  and  only  ufes  its  force  for  its  own  protection, 
or  that  of  its  community.  In  its  native  deferts,  the  elephant  is 
feldom  feen  alone,,  but  appears  to  be  a  focial,  friendly  creature. 
The  oldfft  of  the  company  conducts  the  band  ;  that  which  is 
next  in  feniority  brings  up  the  rear.  The  young,  the  weak,  and 
the  fickly,  fall  into  the  centre  ;  while  the  females  carry  their 
young  and  keep  them  from  falling  by  means  of  their  trunks. 
They  maintain  this  order  only  in  dangerous  marches,  or  when 
they  defire  to  feed  in  cultivated  grounds  ;  they  move  with  lefs 
precaution  in  the  forefts  and  folitudes;  but  without  ever  fepa- 
rating,  or  removing  fo  far  afunder  as  to  be  incapable  of  lend- 
ing each  other  any  requifite  afliftance.  Nothing  can  be  more 
formidable  than  a  drove  of  elephants,  as  they  appear  at  a  dif- 
tance,  in  an  African  landfcape;  \\herever  they  march,  the  fo- 
refts feem  to  fail  before  them  ;  in  their  paffage,  they  bear  down 
the  branches  upon  which  they  feed ;  and,  if  they  enter  into  an 
inclofure,  they  deftfoy  all  the  labour  of  the  hufbandman  in 
-a  very  fhort  time.  Their  invafions  are  the  more  difagreeable, 
as  there  is  no  means  of  repelling  them  ;  fince  it  would  require 
a  fmall  army  to  attack  the  whole  drove  \yrhen  united.  It  now 
and  then  happens  that  one  or  two  is  found  lingering  bfehind  the 
reft  j  and  it  is  againft  thefe  that  the  art  and  force  of  the  hun- 
ters are  united;  but  an  attempt  to  moleft  the  whole  body  would 
certainly  be  fatal.  They  go  forward  direclly  againft  him  who 
offers  the  infult,  ftrike  him  with  their  tuiks,  feize  him  with 
their  trunks,  fling  him  into  the  air,  and  then  trample  him  to 
pieces  under  their  feet.  But  they  are  thus  dreadful  only  when 
offended,  and  do  no  manner  of  perfonal  injury  when  fuffered  to 

*  I  have  extra&ed  the  greateft  part  of  this  defcription  from  mr. 
Where  I  add  mark  with  commas,  "  tkus." 


3*2  AN  HIS  TORT  OF 

feed  without  intemi  prior.  It  is  even  faid  that  they  arc 
ful  of  injuries  received;  and,  when  once  molefted  by  man,  feefc 
ail  occafions  for  the  future  to  be  revenged  ;  they  fmell  him 
with  their  long  trunks  at  a  diftance ;  follow  him  with  all  their 
fpeed  upon  the  fcent ;  and,  though  flow  to  appearance,  the/ 
are  foon  able  to  come  up  with,  and  deftroy  him. 

In  their  natural  (late,  they  delight  to  live  along  the  fides  of 
livers,  to  keep  in  the  deeped  vales,  to  refrelh  themfelves  in  the 
moil  fhady  forefts  and  watery  places.  They  cannot  live  far 
from  the  water;  and  they  always  difturb  it  before  they  drink.. 
They  often  fill  their  trunk  with  it,  either  to  cool  that  organ, 
or  to  divert  themfelves  by  fpurting  it  out  like  a  fountain.  They 
are  equally  diftrefled  by  the  extremes  of  heat  and  cold  ;  and,f 
to  avoid  the  former,  they  frequently  take  fhelter  in  the  moil 
obfcure  recefles  of  the  foreft,  or  often  plunge  into  the  water, 
and  even  fwim  from  the  continent  into  iflands  fome  leagues  dif- 
tant  from  the  more. 

Their  chief  food  is  of  the  vegetable  kind,  for  they  loath  all 
kind  of  animal  diet.  When  one  among  their  number  happens 
to  light  upon  a  fpot  of  good  pafture,  he  calls  the  reft,   and  in- 
vites them  to  fhare  in  die  entertainment ;  but  it  mud  be  a  very 
copious  pafture  indeed,  that  can  fupply  the  neceflities  of  the 
whole  band.  As  with  their  broad  and  heavy  feet  they  fink 
deep  wherever  they  go,  they  deftroy  much  more  than  they  de- 
vour \  fo  that  they  are  frequently  obliged  to  change  their  quar- 
ters, and  to  migrate  from  one  country  to  another.    The  Indi- 
ans and  Negroes,  who  are  often  incommoded  by  fuch  vifitants, 
do  ail  they  can  to  keep  them  away,  making  loud  noifes,  and 
large  fires  round  their  cultivated  grounds  j   but  thefe  precau- 
tions do  not  always  fucceed;  the  elephants  often  break  through 
their  fences,  deftroy  their  whole  harveft,  and  overturn   their 
little  habitations.   When  they  have  fatisfied  themfelves,  and 
trod  down  or  devoured  whatever  lay  in  their  way,  they  then, 
retreat  into  the  woods  in  the  fame  orderly  manner  in  which, 
they  made  their  irruption* 

Such  are  the  habits  of  this  animal  confidered  in  a  fociai  light; 


T-HE    ELEPHANT.  3*5 

sndj  if  we  regard  it  as  an  individual,  we  (hall  find  its  powers 
{till  more  extraordinary.  With  a  very  aukward  appearance,  it 
pdflefles  alt  the  fenfes  in  great  perfection,  and  is  capable  of 
applying  them  to  more  ufeful  purpofes  than  any  other  qua- 
druped. The  elephant,  as  we  obfervcJ,  has  very  fmall  eyes, 
\vhen  compared  to  the  enormous  bulk  of  its  body.  But, 
though  their  minutenefs  may  at  fi-rft  fight  appear  deformed, 
yet,  when  we  come  to  examine  them,  they  are  feen  to  exhibit 
a  variety  of  expreffion,  and  to  difcover  the  various  fenfations 
with  which  it  is  moved.  It  turns  them  with  attention  and 
friendfliip  to  its  matter  ;  it  feems  to  reflect  and  deliberate  ;  and 
as  its  p:\filons  flowly  fuceeed  each  other,  -their  various  workings 
•are  diftindUy  feen. 

The  elephant  is  not  lefs  remarkable  for  the  excellence  of 
its  hearing.  Its  ears  are  extremely  large,  and  greater  in  pro- 
portion than  even  thofe  of  an  afs.  They  are  ufually  depen- 
dent ;  but- it  can- readily  raife  and  move  them.  They  ferve  al- 
fo  to  wipe  its  eyes,  and  to  protect  them  againil  the  duft  and 
files  that  might  other  wife  incommode  them.  It  appears  delight- 
ed with  mudc,  and  very  readily  learns  to  beat  time,  to  more 
in  meafure,  and  even  to  join  its  voice  to  the  found  of  the 
drum  and  the  trumpet, 

This  animal's  fenfe  of  frtiellihg  is  net  only  exquifite,  but  it 
is  in  a  great  meafure  pleafed  with  the  fame  odours  that  delight 
mankind.  The  elephant  gathers  flgwers  with  great  pleafure 
and  attention  ;  it  picks  them  up  one  by  cue,  unites  them  into  a 
nofegay,  and  feems  charmed  with  the  perfume.  The  orange 
flower  feems  to  be  particularly  grateful,  both  to  its  fenfe  of 
tafte  and  fmelling  ;  it  {trips  the  tree  of  all  its  verdure,  and  eats 
every  part  of  it,  even  to  the  branches  themfelves.  It  fecks  in 
the  meadows  the  mod  odoriferous  plants  to  feed  upon  ;  and  in 
the  woods  it  prefers  the  cocoa,  the  banana,  the  palm,  and  tha 
fago  tree,  to  all  others.  As  the  (hoots  of  thefe  are  tender  and 
filled  with  pith ;  it  eats  not  only  the  leaves  and  the  fruits,  but 
even  the  branches,  the  trunk,  and  the  whole  plant  to  the  very 
loots. 

But  it  is  in  the  fenfe  of  touching,  that  this  animal  excel*  «$ 


.3*4  AN  HISTORY  OF 

other  of  the  brute  creation,  and  perhaps  even  man  himfelf.  Tht 
organ  of  this  lenfe  lies  wholly  in  the  trunk,  which  is  an  inftru* 
ment  peculiar  to  this  animal,  and  that  ferves  it  for  all  the  pun- 
pofes  of  a  hand.  The  trunk  is,  properly  fpeaking,  only  the 
fnout  lengthened  out  to  a  great  extent,  hollow  like  a  pipe,  and 
ending  in  two  openings,  or  noftrils,  like  thofe  of  a  hog.  An 
elephant  of  fourteen  feet  high,  has  the  trunk  about  eight  feet 
long,  and  five  feet  and  a  half  in  circumference  at  the  mouth, 
where  it  is  thickeit.  It  is  hollow  all  along,  but  with  a  par* 
tition  tunning  from  one  end  to  the  other  ;  fo  that  though  out- 
wardly it  appears  like  a  fmglepipe,  it  is  inwardly  divided  into 
two.  This  flefhy  tube  is  compofed  of  nerves  and  mufcles,  co- 
vered with  a  proper  fkin  of  a  blackiih  colour,  like  that  of  the 
reft  of  the  body.  It  is  capable  of  being  moved  in  every  direc- 
tion, of  being  lengthened  and  {hortened,  of  being  bent  or 
ilraightenedj  fo  pliant  as  to  embrace  any  body  it  is  applied  to, 
and  yet  fo  ftrong  that  nothing  can  be  torn  from  the  gripe;  To 
aid  the  force  of  thisgrafp,  there  are  ieveral  little  eminences, 
like  a  caterpillar's  feet,  on  the  under  fide  of  this  inftrument, 
which,  without  doubt,  contribute  to  the  fenfibility  of  the  touch 
as  well  as  to  the  firmnefs  of  the  hold.  Through  this  trunk  the 
animal  breathes,  drinks  and  fmells,  as  thro'  a  tube;  and  atthe  ve- 
ry point  of  it.  juit  above  the  noftrils,  there  is  an  extenfion  of 
the  Ikin  about  five  inches  long,  in  the  form  of  a  finger,  and 
which,  in  fact,  anfwers  all  the  purpofes  of  one ;  for,  with  the 
reft  of  the  extremity  of  the  trunk,  it  is  capable  of  afluming 
-different  forms  at  will,  and  confequently  of  being  adapted  to 
the  minuted  objects.  By  means  of  this,  the  elephant  can  take 
a  pin  from  the  ground,  untie  the  knots  of  a  rope,  unlock  a 
door,  and  even  write  with  a  pen.  "  I  have  myfelf  feen,"  fays 
JElian,  "  an  elephant  writing  Latin  characters  on  a  board,  in  a 
sery  orderly  manner,  his  keeper  only  (hewing  him  the  figure 
©f  each  letter.  While  thus  employed,  the  eyes  might  be  obferv- 
ed  fludiouily  caft  down  upon  the  writing,  and  exhibiting  an 
appearance  of  great  ikill  and  erudition."  It  fometimes  happens 
that  the  object  is  too  large  for  the  trunk  to  grafp  •  in  fuch  a 
cafe,  the  elephant  makes  ufe  of  another  expedient,  as  admirable 


THE   ELEPHANT.  38$ 

a?  nny  of  the  former.  It  applies  the  extremity  of  the  trunk  to 
the  furface  of  the  object,  and,  fucking  up  its  breath,  lifts  and 
fuftains  fuch  a  weight  as  the  air  in  that  cafe  is  capable  of  keep- 
ing fufpended.  In  this  manner,  this  inltrument  is  ufeful  in 
moft  of  the  purpofes  of  life  •,  it  is  an  organ  of  fmelling,  of  touc  h- 
ing,  and  of  faction  ;  it  not  only  provides  for  the  animal's  ne- 
ceifities  and  comforts,  but  it  alfo  ferves  for  its  ornament  and 
defence. 

But,  though  the  elepharit  be  thus  admirably  fupplied  by  its 
trunk,  yef,  with  refpecl  to  the  reft  of  its  conformation,  it  is 
unwieldy  and  helplefs.  The  neck  is  fo  fhort  that  it  can  fcarce 
turn  the  head,  and  muft  wheel  round  in  order  to  difcover  an 
enemy  from  behind.  The  hunters  that  attack  it  upon  that 
quarter,  generally  thus  efcape  the  effects  of  its  indignation  ; 
and  find  time  to  renew  their  aflaults  while  the  elephant  is 
turning  to  face  them.  The  legs  are,  indeed,  not  fo  inflexible 
as  the  neck,  yet  they  are  very  ftiif,  and  bend  not  without  diffi- 
culty. Thofe  before,  feem  to  be  longer  than  the  hinder  ;  but, 
upon  being  meafured,  are  found  to  be  fomething  fhorter.  The 
joints,  by  which  they  bend,  are  nearly  in  the  middle,  like  the 
knee  of  a  man  ;  and  the  gfeat  bulk  which  they  are  to  fupport, 
makes  their  flexure  ungainly.  While  the  elephant  is  young,  it 
bends  the  legs  to  lie  down  or  to  rife  ;  but  when  it  grows  old, 
or  fickly,  this  is  not  performed  without  human  afliftance  ;  and 
it  becomes,  eonfequently,  fo  inconvenient,  that  the  animal 
ehoofes  to  fleep  {landing.  The  feet,  upon  which  thefe  rnaiTy 
columns  are  fupported,  form  a  bafe  fcarce  broader  than  the 
legs  they  fuftain.  They  are  divided  into  five  toes,  whkrh  are 
covered  beneath  the  fkin,  and  none  of  which  appear  to  the  eye ; 
a  kind  of  protuberance  like  claws  are  only  obferved,  which 
vary  in  number  from  three  to  five.  The  apparent  claws  vary^ 
the  internal  toes  are  conftantly  the  fame.  The  foal  of  the  foot 
Is  furnimed  with  a  fkin  as  thick  and  hard  as  horn,  and  which 
completely  covers  the  whole  under  part  of  the  foot. 

To  the  reft  of  the  elephant's  incumbrances   may  be  addeti 
its  enormous  tufks,  which  are  unferviceable  for  chewing^  and 
VOL.  II,  3  C 


386*  AN  HISTORY  OF 

are  only  weapons  of  defence.  Thefe,  as  the  animal  gtows  ol4, 
become  fo  heavy,  that  it  is  fometimes  obliged  to  make  holes 
in  the  walls  of  its  flail  to  reft  them  in,  and  eafe  itfelf  of  the 
fatigue  of  their  fupport.  It  is  well  known  to  what  an  amazing 
iize  thefe  tuiks  grow ;  they  are  two  in  number,  proceeding 
from  the  upper  jaw,  and  are  fometimes  found  above  fix  feet 
long.  Some  have  fuppofed  them  to  be  rather  the  horns  than  the 
teeth  of  this  animal ;  but,  befides  their  greater  fimilitude  to 
bone  than  to  horn,  they  have  been  indifputably  found  to  grow 
from  the  upper  jaw,  and  not  from  the  frontal  bones,  as  fome 
have  thought  proper  to  aflert*.  Some  alfo  have  afierted,  that 
thefe  tufks  are  fhed  in  the  fame  manner  as  the  flag  fheds  its 
horns  ;  but  it  is  very  probable,  from  their  folid  confiftence,  and 
from  their  accidental  defects,  which  often  appear  to  be  the 
effect  of  a  flow  decay,  that  they  are  as  fixt  as  the  teeth  of 
other  animals  are  generally  found  to  be.  Certain  it  is,  that  the 
elephant  never  fheds  them  in  a  domeftic  ftate,  but  keeps  them 
till  they  become  inconvenient  and  cumberfome  to  the  laft  de- 
gree. An  account  of  ufes  to  which  thefe  teeth  are  applied, 
and  the  manner  of  choofmg  the  belt  ivory,  belongs  rather  to  a 
hiftory  of  the  arts  than  of  nature. 

This  animal  is  equally  fingular  in  other  parts  of  its  confor-* 
mation  ;  the  lips  and  the  tongue  in  other'creatures  ferve  to 
fuck  up  and  direct  their  drink  or  their  food ;  but  in  the  ele- 
phant they  are  tonally  inconvenient  for  fuch  purpofes  ;  and  it 
not  only  gathers  its  food  with  its  trunk,  but  fupplies  itfelf  with 
water  by  the  fame  means.  When  it  eats  hay,  as  I  have  feen  it 
frequently,  it  takes  up  a  fmall  wifp  of  it  with  the  trunk,  turns 
and  fhapes  it  with  that  inftrument  for  fome  time,  and  then 
directs  it  into  the  mouth,  where  it  is  chewed  by  the  great 
grinding  teeth,  that  are  large  in  proportion  to  the  bulk  of  the 
animal.  This  pacquet,  when  chewed,  is  fwallowed  and  never 
ruminated  again  as  in  cows  or  (heep,  the  flomach  and  interlines 
of  this  creature  more  refembling  thofe  of  a  horfe.  Its  manner  of 
drinking  is  equally  extraordinary.  For  this  purpofe,  the  ele- 

*  Sec  mrrDaubenton'&dcfcription  of  the  fkdcton<  of  thia  aairaal. 


THE  ELEPHANT.  3*7 

phant  dips  the  end  of  its  trunk  into  the  water,  and  fucks  up 
juft  as  much  as  fills  that  great  flefhy  tube  completely.  It 
then  lifts  up  its  head  with  the  trunk  full,  and  turning  the  point 
jnto  its  mouth,  as  if  it  intended  to  fwallow  trunk  and  all,  it 
drives  the  point  below  the  opening  of  the  wind-pipe.  The 
trunk  being  in  chis  pofition,  and  ftill  full  of  water,  the  elephant 
then  blows  ftrongly  into  it  at  the  other  end,  which  forces  the 
water  it  contains  into  the  throat,  down  which  it  is  heard  to 
pour  with  a  loud  gurgling  noife,  which  continues  till  the 
whole  is  blown  down.  From  this  manner  of  drinking,  fome 
have  been  led  into  an  opinion,  that  the  young  elephant  fucks 
with  its  trunk,  and  not  with  its  mouth  ;  this,  however,  is  a 
fact  which  no  traveller  has  hitherto  had  an  opportunity  of  fee- 
ing, and  it  muft  be  referred  to  fome  future  accident  to  deter- 
mine. 

The  hide  of  the  elephant  is  as  remarkable  as  any  other  part, 
It  is  not  covered  over  with  hair  as  in  the  generality  of  quadru- 
peds, but  it  is  nearly  bare.  Here  and  there,  indeed,  a  few  bridles 
are  feen  growing  in  the  fears  and  wrinkles  of  the  body,  and 
very  thinly  fcattered  over  the  reft  of  the  fkin  j  but  in  general 
the  head  is  dry,  rough,  and  wrinkled,  and  refembling  more  the 
bark  of  an  old  tree,  than  the  fkin  of  an  animal.  This  grows 
thicker  every  year  5  and,  by  a  conftant  addition  of  fubftance, 
it  at  length  contracts  that  diforder  well  known  by  the  name  of 
the  elephantiafis,  or  Arabian  leprofy  5  a  difeafe  to  which  man, 
as  well  as  the  elephant,  is  often  fubjecl.  In  order  to  prevent 
this,  the  Indians  rub  the  elephant  with  oil,  and  frequently 
balhe  it  to  preferve  its  pliancy.  To  the  inconveniencies  of  this 
diforder,  is  added  another,  arifmg  from  the  great  fenfibility  of 
thofe  parts  that  are  not  callous.  Upon  thefe  the  flies  fettle  in 
great  abundance,  and  torment  this  animal  unceafmgly  j  to  re- 
medy which,  the  elephant  tries  all  its  arts}  ufes  not  only  its  tail 
and  trunk  in  the  natural  manner  to  keep  them  off,  but  even 
takes  the  branch  of  a  tree,  or  a  bundle  of  hay,  to  ftrike  them 
cffwith.  When  this  fails,  it  often  gathers  up  the  duft  with  its 
trunk,  and  thus  covers  all  the  fenfible  places.  In  this  manner,  it 


388  AN  HISTORY  OF 

has  been  feen  to  duft  itfelf  feveral  times  a  day,  and  particular* 
Jy  upon  leaving  the  bath. 

Water  is  as  neceflary  to  this  animal  as  food  itfelf.  When 
in  a  (late  of  nature,  the  elephant  rarely  quits  the  banks  of  the; 
river,  and  often  ftands  in  water  up  to  the  belly.  In  a  ftate  of 
fervitude,  the  Indians  take  equal  care  to  provide  a  proper  fup* 
ply ;  they  warn  it  with  great  addrefs  j  they  give  it  all  the  con- 
veniencies  for  lending  afliftance  to  itfelf  j  they  fmooth  the  ikin 
with  a  pumice  ftone,  and  then  rub  it  over  with  oils,  effences, 
and  odours. 

It  is  not  to  be  wondered  at,  that  an  animal  furniihed  with 
fo  many  various  advantages,  both  of  ftrength,  fagacity,    and 
obedience,  fhould  be  taken  into  the  fervice  of  man.    We  ac^ 
cordingly  find,  that  the  elephant,  from  time  immemorial,  has 
been  employed  either  for  the  purpofes  of  labour,  of  war,  or  of 
orientation  ;  to  increafe  the  grandeur  of  eaftern  princes,  or  to 
extend  their  dominions.  We  have   hitherto  been  defcribing 
this  animal  in  its  natural  ftate  j  we  now  come  to  confider  it  in 
a  different  view,  as  taken  from  the  foreft  and  reduced  to  human 
obedience.   We  are  now  to  behold  this  brave,  harmlefs  crea«» 
ture  as  learning  a  leffon  from  mankind,  and  inftrudted  by  him 
in  all  the  arts  of  war,  mafiacre,  and  devaftation,  We  are  now 
to  behold  this  halfc-reafoning  animal  led  into  the  field  of  battle, 
and  wondering  at  thofe   tumults  and  that  madnefs  which  he 
Is  compelled  to  increafe,    The  elephant  is  a  native  of  Africa 
And  Afia,  being  found  neither  in  Europe  nor  America.  In  Af- 
rica he  ftill  retains  his  natural  liberty.  The  favage  inhabitants 
/)f  that  part  of  the  world,  inftead  of  attempting  to  fubdue  this 
powerful  creature  to  their  neceffities,  are  happy  in  being  able 
to  protect  themfelves  from  his  fury.  Formerly,  indeed,  during 
the  fplendor  of  the  Carthaginian  empire,  elephants  were  ufed 
in  their  wars ;  but  this  was  only  a  tranfitory  gleam  of  human 
power  in  that  part  of  the  globe  ;  the  natives  of  Africa  have  long 
fmce  degenerated,  and  the  elephant  is  only  known  among  them 
from  his  deraftations.  However,  there  are  no  elephants  in  the: 
northern  parts  of  Africa  at  prefent,  there  being  none  found  on 


THE  ELEPHANT. 

this  fide  of  Mount  Atlas.  It  is  beyond  the  river  Senegal  that 
they  are  to  be  met  with  in  great  numbers,  and  fo  down  to  the 
Cape  of  Good-Hope,  as  well  as  in  the  heart  of  the  country. 
In  this  extenfive  region  they  appear  to  be  more  numerous  than 
in  any  other  part  of  the  world.  They  are  there  lefs  fearful  of 
man  ;  lefs  retired  into  the  heart  of  the  forefts ;  they  feem  to  be 
fcnfible  of  his  impotence  and  ignorance  5  and  often  come  down 
to  ravage  his  little  labours.  They  treat  him  with  the  fame 
haughty  difdain  which  they  (how  to  other  animals,  and  confi- 
der  him  as  a  mifchievous  little  being,  that  fears  to  oppofe 
them  openly. 

But,  although  thefe  animals  are  mod  plentiful  in  Africa,  it 
is  only  in  Afia  that  the  greateft  elephants  are  found,  and  ren- 
dered fubfervient  to  human  command.  In  Africa,  the  largeft 
do  not  exceed  ten  feet  high ;  in  Afia,  they  are  found  from  ten 
to  fifteen.  Their  price  increafes  in  proportion  to  their  fize  ; 
and  when  they  exceed  a  certain  bulk,  like  jewels,  their  value 
then  rifes  as  the  fancy  is  pleafed  to  eftimate. 

The  largeft  are  entirely  kept  for  the  fervice  of  princes  ;  and 
are  maintained  with  the  utmofl  magnificence,  and  at  the  great- 
eft  expenfe.  The  ufual  colour  of  the  elephant  is  a  dulky  black, 
but  fome  are  faid  to  be  white ;  and  the  price  of  one  of  thefe 
is  ineftimable.  Such  a  one  is  peculiarly  appropriated  for  the 
monarch's  own  riding  ;  he  is  kept  in  a  palace,  attended  by  the 
nobles,  and  almoft  adored  by  the  people*.  Some  have  faid  that 
thefe  white  elephants  are  larger  than  the  reftf ;  others  afTert, 
that  they  are  lefs  j  and  ftill  others  entirely  doubt  their  exii- 
tence. 

As  the  art  of  war  is  but  very  little  improved  in  Afia,  there 
are  few  princes  of  the  eaft  who  do  not  procure  and  maintain 
as  many  elephants  as  they  are  able,  and  place  great  confidence 
on  their  afliftance  in  an  engagement.  For  this  purpofe,  they 
are  obliged  to  take  them  wild  in  their  native  forefts,  and  tame 
them  5  for  the  elephant  never  breeds  in  a  ftate  of  fervitude. 

*  P,  Vincent  Marie.  f  P.  Tachard. 


39*  AN  HISTORY  OF 

It  is  one  of  the  moft  ftriking  peculiarities  in  this  extraordinary 
creature,  that  his  generative  powers  totally  fail  when  he  comes 
under  the  dominion  of  man  •,  as  if  he  feemed  unwilling  to 
propagate  a  race  of  flaves,  to  increafe  the  pride  of  his  conque- 
ror. There  is,  perhaps,  no  other  quadruped  that  will  not  breed 
in  its  own  native  climate,  if  indulged  with  a  moderate  {hare 
of  freedom  ;  and  we  know,  that  many  of  them  will  copulate 
in  every  climate.  The  elephant  alone  has  never  been  feen  to 
breed  ;  and  though  he  has  been  reduced  under  the  obedience 
of  man  for  ages,  the  duration  of  pregnancy,  in  the  female*, 
ftill  remains  a  fecret.  Ariftotle,  indeed,  aflerts,  that  me  goes 
two  years  with  young ;  that  me  continues  to  fuckle  her  young 
for  three  years,  and  that  me  brings  forth  but  one  at  a  time  : 
but  he  does  not  inform  us  of  the  manner  in  which  it  was 
poinble  for  him  to  have  his  information.  From  authorities, 
equally  doubtful,  we  learn,  that  the  little  one  is  about  as  large 
as  a  wild  boar,  the  inftant  it  is  brought  forth  ;  that  its  tufks 
do  not  yet  appear  ;  but  that  all  the  reft  of  its  teeth  are  appa- 
rent ;  that  at  the  age  of  fix  months,  it  is  as  large  as  an  ox, 
and  its  tufks  pretty  well  grown  ;  and  that  it  continues  in  this 
manner  for  near  thirty  years,  advancing  to  maturity.  All  this 
is  doubtful  5  but  it  is  certain,  that,  in  order  to  recruit  the  num- 
bers which  are  confumed  in  war,  the  princes  of  the  eaft  are 
every  year  obliged  to  fend  into  the  forefts,  and  to  ufe  various 
methods  to  procure  a  frefh  fupply.  Of  all  theie  numerous 
bands,  there  is  not  one  that  has  not  been  originally  wild  ;  nor 
one  that  has  not  been  forced  into  a  ftate  of  fubje£Hon.  Men 
themfelves  are  often  content  to  propagate  a  race  of  flaves,  that 
pafs  down  in  this  wretched  ftate  through  fucceflive  genera-* 
tions  ;  but  the  elephant,  under  fubje&ion,  is  unalterably  bar- 
ren ;  perhaps  from  fome  phyfical  caufes,  which  are  as  yet  un- 
known. 
The  Indian  princes  having  vainly  endeavoured  to  multiply 

*  Multis  p^rfuafura  eft  elephantem  non  brutorum  fed  hominum  more  eo5re_ 
Quod  retro  miivMt  non  dubitatur.  Sed  ipfc  vidi  marem  hujufce  fpeciei,  in 
noilri  regis  ftabulis  fuper  fjemellam  itidcm  inclufam  quadrupedum  mor 
<?ntera,  penc  pualulum  incurrato  fed  lufficicnter  re&o. 


THE   ELEPHANT. 

the  breed  of  elephants,  like  that  of  other  animals,  have  been, 
at  laft,  content  to  feparate  the  males  from  the  females,  to 
prevent  thofe  accefies  of  defire,  which  debilitated  without 
multiplying  the  fpecies.  In  order  to  take  them  wild  in  the 
woods,  a  fpot  of  ground  is  fixed  upon,  which  is  furrounded 
with  a  ftrong  palliiade.  This  is  made  of  the  thkkeft  and  the 
ftrongeft  trees  ;  and  ftrengthened  by  crofs  bars,  which  give 
firmnefs  to  the  whole.  The-  pods  ars  fixed  at  fuch  diftances 
from  each  ether,  that  a  man  can  eafily  pafs  between  them  ; 
there  being  only  one  great  paflage  left  open,  through  which 
an  elephant  can  eafily  come  ;  and  which  is  fo  contrived  as  to 
fhut  behind,  as  foon  as  the  beaft  is  entered.  To  draw  him  in- 
to this  enclofure,  it  is  necefiary  firft  to  find  him  out  in  the 
woods ;  and  a  female  elephant  is  conducted  along  into  the 
heart  of  the  foreft,  where  it  is  obliged  by  its  keeper  to  cry 
out  for  the  male.  The  male  very  readily  anfwers  the  cry,  and 
haftens  to  join  her  ;  which  the  keeper  perceiving,  obliges  her 
to  retreat,  ftill  repeating  the  fame  cry,  until  me  leads  the  ani- 
mal into  the  enclofure  already  defcribed,  which  (huts  the  mo- 
ment he  is  entered.  Still,  however,  the  female  proceeds  call- 
ing, and  inviting,  while  the  male  proceeds  forward  in  the  ea- 
tlofure,  which  grows  narrower  all  the  way,  and  until  the  poor 
animal  finds  himfelf  completely  fliut  up,  without  the  power  of 
cither  advancing  or  retreating;  the  female,  in  the  mean  time, 
being  let  out  by  a  private  way,  which  {he  has  been  previoufly 
accuflomed  to.  The  wild  elephant,  upon  feeing  himfelf  entrap- 
ped in  this  manner,  inftantly  attempts  to  ufe  violence;  and, 
upon  feeing  the  hunters,  all  his  former  defires  only  turn  to  fu- 
ry. In  the  mean  time,  the  hunters,  having  fixed  him  with  cords, 
attempt  to  foften  his  indignation,  by  throwing  buckets  of  wa- 
ter upon  him  in  great  quantities,  rubbing  the  body  with  leaves, 
and  pouring  oil  down  his  ears.  Soon  after,  two  tame  elephants 
are  brought,  a  male  and  a  female,  that  carefs  the  indignant 
animal  with  their  trunks;  while  they  ftill  continue  pouring  wa- 
ter to  refrelh  it.  At  laft,  a  tame  elephant  is  brought  forward, 
of  that  number  which  is  employed  in  inftrudHng  the  new  com- 
ers, and  an  officer  riding  upon  it>  in  Order  to  jQiow  the  late  cap- 


AN    HISTORY   Of 

tive  that  it  has  nothing  to  fear.  The  hunters  then  open  the  en- 
clofure;  and,  while  this  creature  leads  the  captive  along,  two 
snore  are  joined  on  either  fide  of  it,  and  thefe  compel  it  to  fub- 
mit.  It  is  then  tied  by  cords  to  a  maffy  pillar  provided  for  that 
purpofe,  and  fitfFered  to  remain  in  that  pofition  for  about  a  day 
and  a  night,  until  its  indignation  be  wholly  fubfided.  The  next 
day  it  begins  to  be  fomewhat  fubmimve;  and,  in  a  fortnight, 
ss  completely  tamed  like  the  reft.  The  females  are  taken  when 
accompanying  the  males',  they  often  come  into  thefe  enclo- 
fures,  and  they  fhortly  after  ferve  as  decoys  to  the  reft.  But 
this  method  of  taking  the  elephant,  differs,  according  to  the 
abilities  of  the  hunter;  the  Negroes  of  Africa,  who  hunt  thif 
animal  merely  for  its  ilefh,  are  content  to  take  it  in  pit-falls  ; 
and  often  to  purfue  it  in  the  defiles  of  a  mountain,  where  it 
cannot  eafily  turn,  and  fo  wound  it  from  behind  till  it  falls. 

The  elephant,  when  once  tamed,  becomes  the  moft  gentle 
and  obedient  of  all  animals.  It  foon  conceives  an  attachment 
for  the  perfon  that  attends  it,  cardies  him,  obeys  him,  and 
feems  to  anticipate  his  defires.  .In  a  fhort  time  it  begins  to 
comprehend  feveral  of  the  figns  made  to  it,  and  even  the  dif- 
ferent founds  of  the  voice  ;  it  perfectly  diftinguiihes  the  tone 
of  command  from  that  of  anger  or  approbation^  and  it  acts 
accordingly.  It  is  feldom  deceived  in  its  mafterrs  voice  ;  it 
receives  his  orders  with  attention,  and  executes  them  with 
with  prudence,  eagerly,  yet  without  precipitation.  All  its  mo- 
tions are  regulated  •,  and  its  actions  feem  to  partake  of  its- 
magnitude  5  .being  grave,  majeftic,  and  feeure.  It  is  quickly 
laught  to  kneel  down,  to  receive  its  rider  ;  it  carefTes  thofe  it 
knows  with  its  trunk ;  with  this  falutes  fuch  as  it  is  ordered 
to  diftinguifh,  and  with  this,  as  with  a  hand,  helps  to  take  up 
a  part  of  its  load.  It  fufTers  itfelf  to  be  arrayed  in  harnefs,  and 
feems  to  take  a  pleafure  in  the  finery  of  its  trappings.  It  draws 
cither  chariots,  cannon,  or  {hipping,  with  furprizing  ftrength 
and  perfeverance  ;  and  this  with  a  feeming  fatisfaction,  pro- 
vided that  it  be  not  beaten  without  a  caufe,  and  that  its  maf- 
ter  appears  pleafed  with  its  exertions. 


THE   ELEPHANT. 

The  elephant's  conductor  is  ufually  mounted  upon  its  neck, 
and  makes  ufe  of  a  rod  of  iron  to  guide  it,  which  is  fame- 
times  pointed,  and  at  others  bent  into  a  hook.  With  this  the 
animal  is  fpurred  forward,  when  dull  or  difobedient ;  but,  in 
general,  a  word  is  fufficient  to  put  the  gentle  creature  into 
motion,  efpecislly  when  it  is  acquainted  with  its  conductor. 
This  acquaintance  is  often  perfectly  neceffary  ;  for  the  ele- 
phant frequently  takes  fuch  an  affection  to  its  keeper,  that  it 
will  obey  no  other  :  and  it  has  been  known  to  die  for  grief, 
when,  in  fome  fudden  fit  of  madnefs,  it  has  killed  its  con- 
ductor. We  are  told,  that  one  of  thefe,  that  was  ufed  by  the 
French  forces  in  India,  for  the  drawing  their  cannon,  was  pro- 
mifed,  by  the  conductor,  a  reward,  for  having  performed  fome 
painful  fervice  ;  but  being  difappointed  of  irs  expectations, 
it  flew  him  in  a  fury.  The  conductor's  wife,  who  was  a  fpec- 
tator  of  this  (hocking  fcene,  could  not  reflrain  her  madnefs  and 
defpair;  but  running  with  her  two  children  in  her  arms,  threw 
them  at  the  elephant's  feet,  crying  out,  that  fmce  it  had  killed 
her  huftand,  it  might  kill  her  and  her  children  alfo.  The  ele- 
phant, feeing  the  children  at  its  feet,  inflantly  (lopped,  and  mo- 
derating its  fury,  took  up  the  el  deft  with  its  trunk,  and  placing- 
him  upon  its  neck,  adopted  him  for  its  conductor,  and  obeyed 
him  ever  after  with  punctuality. 

But  it  is  not  for  drawing  burdens  alone,  that  the  elephants 
are  ferviceable  in  war  ;  they  are  often  brought  into  the  ranks, 
and  compelled  to  fight  in  the  moft  dangerous  parts  of  the  field 
of  battle.  There  was  a  time,  indeed,  in  India,  when  they  were 
much  more  ufed  in  war  than  at  prefent.  A  century  or  two  ago, 
a  great  part  of  the  dependence  of  the  general,  was  upon  the 
number  and  the  expertnefs  of  his  elephants ;  but  of  late,  fince 
war  has  been  contented  to  adopt  fatal  inflead  of  formidable 
arts,  the  elephant  is  little  ufed,  except  for  drawing  cannon,  or 
tranfporting  provifions.  The  princes  of  the  country  are  plcaf- 
ed  to  keep  a  few  for  ornament,  or  for  the  purpofes  of  remov- 
ing their  feraglios  •,  but  they  are  feldom  led  into  a  field  of  bat- 
tle, where  they  are  unable  to  withftand  the  difcharge  of  fire- 
arms, and  have  been  often  found  to  turn  upon  their  employer*. 

VOL.  II.  3  D 


394  AN   HISTORY    OF 

Still,  however,  they  are  ufed  in  war,  in  the  mofe  remote  parto 
of  ihe  en.ir.  ;  in  Siam,  in  Cochin  China,  in  Tonquin,  and  Pegiu 
In  all  thefe  places,  they  not  only  ferve  to  fwell  the  pomp  of 
(late,  being  adorned  with  all, the  barbarian  fplendor  that  thole 
.countries  can  beftow,  but  they  are  actually  led  into  the*  field- 
of  battle,  armed  before  with  coats  of  mail,  and  loaded  on  the 
back  each  with  a  fquare  tower,  containing  from  live  comba> 
'laius  to  (even.  Upon  its  neck  fits  the  conductor,  who  goads 
the  animal  into  the  thickeft  ranks,  and  encourages  it  to  in- 
crcafe  the  devaluation  :  v/herever  it  goes,  nothing  can  with- 
ftand  its  -fury  ;  it  levels  the  ranks  with  its  immenfe  bulk,  flings 
fuch  as  oppofss  it  into  the  air,  or  cruihes  them  to  death  un*. 
der  its  feet.  In  the  mean  time,  thofe  who  are  placed  upon  its 
back,  combat  as  from  an  eminence,  and  fling  down  their  wea- 
pons with  double  force,  their  weight  being  added  to  their  ve- 
locity. Nothing,  therefore,  can  be  more  dreadful,  or  more 
irrcufiible,  than  fuch  a  moving  machine,  to  men  unacquainted 
with  the  modern  arts  of  war ;  the  elephant,  thus  armed  and 
conducted,  raging  in  the  midft  of  a  field  of  battle,  infpires 
more  terror  than  even  thofe  machines  that  deflroy  at  a  dif- 
.taiice,  and  are  often  mod  fatal,  when  moil  unfeen.  But  this 
method  of  combating,  is  rather  formidable  than  effectual: 
polifhed  nations  have  ever  been  victorious  over  thofe  femi- 
barbarous  troops  that  have  called  in  the  elephant  to  their  af- 
Fi  (Vance,  or  attempted  to  gain  a  victory  by  merely  aftonifhing 
their  oppofers.  The  Romans  quickly  learned  the  art  of  open- 
ing their  ranks,  to  admit  the  elephant;  and  thus  fcparating  it 
from  afliftance,  quickly  compelled  its  conductors  to  calm  the 
animal's  fury,  and  to  fubmit.  It  fometimes  alfo  happened  that 
the  elephant  became  impatient  of  controul ;  and  inftead  of 
obeying  its  conductor,  turned  upon  thofe  forces  it  was  employ- 
ed to  aflift.  In  either  cafe,  there  was  a  great  deal  of  prepara- 
tion to  very  little  effect;  for  a  fingle  elephant  is  known  to  con- 
fume  as  much  as  forty  men  in  a  day. 

At  prefent,  therefore,  they  are  chiefly  employed  in  carry- 
ing or  drawing  burdens,  throughout  the  whole  peninfula  of 
India;  and  no  animal  can  be  more  fatted  by  nature  for  this  em* 


THE    ELEPHANT.  39^ 

ployment.  The  ftrcngth  of  an  elephant  is  equal  to  us  bulk, 
for  it  can,  with  great  ejfe,  draw  a  loud  that  fix  horfes  could  not 
remove:  it  can  readily  carry  upon  its  back  three  or  four  thou- 
fand  weight;  upon  its  tufks  alone  it  can  fupport  near  a  thou- 
fand;  its  force  may  alfo  be  estimated  from  the  velocity  of  its 
motion,  compared  to  the  uiafs  of  its  body.  It  can  go,  i 
ordinary  pace,  as  fall  as  a  horfe  at  an  eafy  trot ;  and,  when 
pufhed,  it  can  move  as  fwiftly  as  a  horfe  at  full  gallop.  U 
can  travel  with  eafe  lifty  or  iixty  miles  a  day  ;  and  \vhtu 
hard  preiled,  almoit  double  that  quantity.  It  may  be  heard 
trotting  on  at  a  great  diitance ;  it  is  eafy  alfo  to  follow  it  by 
the  track,  which  is  deeply  imprefled  on  die  ground,  and  from 
fifteen  to  eighteen  inches  in  diameter. 

In  India  they  are  alfo  put  to  other  very  difagreeable  offices;, 
for,  in  fome  courts  of  the  more  barbarous  princes,  they  are 
ufed  as  executioners  ;  and  this  horrid  talk  they  perform  with 
great  dexterity  :  with  their  trunks  they  are  feen  to  break  every, 
limb  of  the  criminal  at  the  word  of  command  ;  thsv  fomc- 
times  trample  him  to  death,  and  fometimes  impale  him  on, 
their  enormous  tulks,  as  directed.  In  this  the  elephant  is  ra- 
rher  the  fervant  of  a  cruel  mailer,  than  a  voluntary  tyrant,, 
fince  no  other  animal  of  the  forelt  io  fo  naturally  benevo-*. 
lent  and  gentle  ;  equally  mindful  of  benefits  as  fenhblc  o£ 
neglect,  he  contracts  a  friendship  for  his  keeper,  and  obeys, 
him  even  beyond  his.  capacity. 

In  India,  where  they  were  at  one  time  employed  in  launch- 
ing {hips,  a  particular  elephant  was  directed  to  force  a  very- 
large  vefiel  into  the  water  :  the  work  proved  fuperior  to  its" 
Strength,  but  not  to  its  endeavours  j  which,  however,  the 
keeper  affected  to  defpife.  "  Take  away,"  fays  he,  "  that 
lazy  beaft,  and  bring  another  better  fitted  for  fervice."  The 
poor  animal  inftantly  upon  this  redoubled  its  efforts,  fractured: 
its  fcull,  and  died  upon  the  fpoL 

In  Delhi,  an  elephant,  palling  along  the  flreets,  put  his 
trunk  into  a  tailor's  mop,  where  feveral  people  were  at  work. 
One  of  the  perform  of  the  (hop,  defirous  of  foms 


396  AN   HISTORY    OF 

pricked  the  animal's  trunk  with  his  needle,  and  feemed  highly 
delighted  with  this  flight  puniihment.  The  elephant,  how- 
ever, palTed  on  without  any  immediate  figns  of  refentment ; 
but  coming  to  a  puddle  filled  with  dirty  water,  lie  filled  his 
trunk,  returned  to  the  fhop,  and  ipurted  the  contents  over  all 
the  finery  upon  which  the  tailors  were  then  employed. 

An  elephant  in  Adfmeer,  which  often  patted  through  the 
bazar  or  market,  as  he  went  by  a  certain  herb- woman,  always 
received  from  her  a  mouthful  of  greens.  Being  one  day  feiz- 
cd  with  a  periodical  fit  of  madnefs,  he  broke  his  fetters,  and, 
junning  through  the  market,  put  the  crowd  to  flight  ;  and, 
among  others,  this  woman,  who,  in  her  hade,  forgot  a  little 
child  at  her  flail.  The  elephant,  recollecting  the  fpot  where 
his  benefa&refs  was  accuftomed  to  fit,  took  up  the  infant 
gently  in  his  trunk,  and  conveyed  it  to  a  place  of  fafety. 

At  the  Cape  of  Good-Hope  it  is  cuftomary  to  hunt  thofe 
animals  for  the  fake  of  their  teeth.    Three  horfemen,  well 
mounted,   and  armed  with  lances,   attack  the  elephant  alter- 
nately, each  relieving  the  other,  as  they  fee  their  companion 
prefled,  till  the  bead  is  fubdued.  Three  Dutchmen,  brothers, 
who  had  made  large  fortunes  by  this  bufinefs,   determined  to 
retire  to  Europe,  and  enjoy  the  fruits  of  their  labours  ;  but 
they  refolved,  one  day  before  they  v/ent,  to  have  a  laft  chafe, 
by  way  of  amufement :  they  met  with  their  game,  and  began 
their  attack  in  the  ufual  manner  ;  but,  unfortunately,  one  of 
their  horfes  falling,  happened  to  fling  his  rider ;  the  enraged 
elephant  inftantly  feized  the  unhappy  huntfman  with  his  trunk, 
flung  him  up  to  a  vail  height   in   the  air,  and  received  him 
upon  one  of  his  trunks  as  he  fell ;  and  then  turning  towards 
the  other  two  brothers,  as  if  it  were  with  an  afpecl:  of  revenge 
and  infult,  held  out  to  them  the  impaled  wretch,  writhing  in 
the  agonies  of  death. 

The  teeth  of  the  elephant  are  what  produces  the  great  en- 
mity between  him  and  mankind  :  but  whether  they  are  ihed, 
like  the  horns  of  the  deer,  or  whether  the  animal  be  killed  to 
obtain  them,  is  not  yet  perfe&ly  known.  All  we  have  as  yef, 


THE   ELEPHAXT.  397 

certain  is,  that  the  natives  of  Africa,  from  whence  almoft  all 
our  ivory  comes,  aflure  us,  that  they  find  the  greateft  part  of 
it  in  their  forefts  ;  nor  would,  fay  they,  the  teeth  of  an  ele- 
phant recompenfe  them  for  their  trouble  and  danger  in  ki 
it ;  notwithflanding,  the  elephants  which  are  tamed  by  man, 
are  never  known  to  flied  their  tuiks  ;  and  from  the  hardnefs 
of  their  fubllance,  they  feem  no  way  analogous  to  deers* 
horns. 

The  teeth  of  the  elephant  are  very  often  found  in  a  foffil 
ftate.  Some  years  ago,  two  great  grinding-teeth,  and  part 
of  the  tufk  of  an  elephant,  were  difcovered,  at  the  depth  of 
forty-two  yards,  in  a  lead  mine  in  Flintfhire*. 

The  tufks  of  the  mammouch,  fo  often  found  fodil  in  Si- 
beria, and  which  are  converted  to  the  purpofes  of  ivory,  arc 
generally  fuppofed  to  belong  to  the  elephant :  however,  the 
animal  mufl  have  been  much  larger  in  that  country  than  it  is 
found  at  prefent,  as  thofe  tufks  are  often  known  to  weigh  four 
hundred -pounds ;  while  thofe  that  come  from  Africa,  feldom 
exceed  two  hundred  and  fifty.  Thefe  enormous  tufks  are  found 
lodged  in  the  fandy  banks  of  the  Siberian  rivers  ;  and  the 
natives  pretend  that  they  belong  to  an  animal  which  is  four 
times  as  large  as  the  elephant. 

There  have  lately  been  difcovered  fbveral  enormous  (kele- 
tons,  five  or  fix  feet  beneath  the  furface,  on  the  banks  of  the 
Ohio,  not  remote  from  the  river  Miume  in  America,  feverx 
hundred  miles  from  the  fea-coafl.  Some  of  the  tufks  are  near 
feven  feet  long  •,  one  foot  nine  inches  in  circumference  at  the 
bafe,  and  one  foot  near  the  point ;  the  cavity  at  the  root  or  bafe, 
nineteen  inches  deep.  Befides  'their  fize,  there  are  yet  other 
differences  :  the  tuiks  of  the  true  elephant  have  fometimes  a 
very  flight  lateral  bendj  thefe  have  a  larger  twift,  or  fpiral 
curve,  to  wards  the  fmailer  end:  but  the  great  and  fpecific  differ- 
ence confifls  in  the  mape  of  the  grinding-teeth;  which,  in  thefe 
newly  found,  are  fafhioned  like  the  teeth  of  a  carnivorous  ani- 
mal j  not  flat  and  ribbed  tranfverfely  on  their  furface,  like  thofe 

•  Pennant's  Synopfis,  p.  90. 


393  AN   HISTORY   OF 

of  the  modern  elephant,  but  furnifhed  with  a  double  row  of 
high  and  conic  procefleo,  as  if  intended  to  mafticate,  not  to 
grind  their  fqod.  A  third  difference  is  in  the  thigh  bone,  which 
is  of  a  great  difproportionable  thicknefs  to  that  of  the  ele- 
phant ;  and  has  alfo  Ibme  other  anatomical  variations.  Thefe 
foflii  bones  have  been  alfo  found  in  Tern  and  the  Brafils  ; 
and,  when  cut  and  poliihed  by  the  workers  in  ivory,  appear, 
;n  every  refpetfc,  fnnilar.  It  is  the  opinion  of  doctor  Hunter, 
that  they  mud  have  belonged  to  a  larger  animal  than  the  ele- 
phant \  and  differing  from  it,  in  being  carnivorous.  But  as. 
yet  this  formidable  creature  has  evaded  our  fearch  ;  and  if, 
indeed,  fuca  an  animal  exifts,  it  is  happy  for  man  that  it 
keeps  at  a  diitance ;  fn-ice  what  ravage  might  not  be  expected 
from  a  creature,  endued  with  more  than  the  ftrength  of  the 
«lephanta  and  all  the  rapacity  of  the  tiger  ! 


CHAP.     XVIII. 

Of  the  Rhinoceros. 

NEXT  to  the  elephant,  the  rhinoceros  is  the  mod  pow- 
erful of  animals.  It  is  ufually  found  twelve  feet  lorn*, 
from  the  tip  of  the  nofe  to  the  infertion  of  the  tail  j  from 
fix  to  feven  feet  high ;  and  the  circumference  of  its  body  i& 
nearly  equal  to  its  length.  It  is,  therefore,  equal  to  the  ele- 
phant in  bulk  j  and  if  it  appears  much  fmaller  to  the  eye,  the 
reafon  is,  that  its  legs  are  much  fhorter.  Words  can  convey 
but  a  very  confufed  idea  of  this  animal's  fhape  ;  and  yet  there 
arc  few  to  remarkably  formed  :  its  head  is  furnifhed  with  a 
horn,  growing  from  the  fnout,  fometimes  three  feet  and  a 
half  long  ;  and  but  for  this,  that  part  would  have  the  appear- 
ance of  the  head  of  a  hog  -,  the  upper  lip,  however,  is  much 
longer  in  proportion,  ends  in  a  point,  is  very  pliable,  ferves  to 
collect  its  food,  and  deliver  it  into  the  mouth:  the  ears  are 
large,  erect,  and  pointed  ;  the  eyes  are  fmall  and  piercing ; 
the  fkin  is  naked,  rough,  knotty,  mid  lying  upon  the  body  iia 


hale   XXXV. 


Vol.  II.  Pa, 


Rhinoceros 


J'(.<u  -\\XVI. 


THE  BEAR. 

that  during  this  time,  they  live  by  fucking  their  paws,  which  is 
a  vulgar  error  thatfcarce  requires  confutation.  Thele  folitary 
animals  couple  in  autumn,  but  the  time  of  gefcrition  v/ith  the 
female  is  frill  unknown  ;  the  female  takes  great  care  to  pro- 
vide a  proper  retreat  for  her  young,  fhc  fl  vn  in  the 
hollow  of  a  rock,  and  provides  a  bed  of  hay  in  the  war 
part  of  the  den  •,  ihe  brings  forth  in  winter,  and  the  young 
ones  begin  to  follow  her  in  fpring.  The  male  and  female, 
by  no  means  inhabit  the  fame  den  j  they  have  each  their  fepa- 
jate  retreat,  and  feldom  are  feen  together  but  upon  die  acccf- 
fes  of  genial  deiire. 

7"he  voice  of  the  bear  is  akindof  growl,  interrupted  with  rage, 
which  is  often  capricioufly  exerted;  andtho'  this  animal  feems 
gentle  and  placid  to  its  mafter,  when  tamed  ;  yet  it  is  dill  to 
be  didruded  and  managed  with  caution,  as  it  is  c/i'Len  trea- 
cherous and  refentful  without  a  caufe. 

This  animal  is  capable  of  fome  degree  of  inftruclion.  There 
are  few  but  have  fsen.it  dance  in  aukward  meafures  upon  its 
hind  feet,  to  the  voice  or  the  inftrument  of  its  leader  j  and  it. 
mud  be  confefled,  that  the  dancer  is  often  found  to  b  e  the  bed 
performer  of  the  two..  I  am  told,  that  it  is  firft  taught  to  per- 
form in  this  manner,  by  fetting  it  upon  hot  plates  of  iron,  and 
then  playing  to  it,  while  in  this  uneafy  fitimtion. 

The  bear,  when  come  to  maturity,  can  never  be  tamed  ;  it 
then  continues  in  its  native  fiercenefs,  and  tho'  caged,  dill  for- 
midably impotent,  at  the  approach  of  its  keener,  flies  to  meet 
him.  But  notwithdanding  the  fiercenefs  of  this  animal,  the  na- 
tives of  thofe  countries  where  it  is  found,  hunt  it  with  great 
perfeverance  and  alacrity.  The  lead  dangerous  method  of  tak- 
ing it,  is  by  intoxicating  it,  by  throwing  brandy  upon  honey* 
which  it  feems  to  be  chiefly  fond  of,  and  feeks  for  in  the  hol- 
low of  trees.  In  Canada,  where  the  black  bears  ?.re  very  com- 
mon, and  wher,e  their  dens  are  made  in  trees,  that  are  hollow 
towards  the  top,  they  are  taken  by  fetting  fire  to  their  retreats, 
v.hich  are  often  above  thirty  feet  from  the  ground.  The  old 
out  b  generally  feen  firft  to  iflue  from  her  den,  and  is  {hot 


4*0  AN  PI  I  STORY  OF 

by  the  hunters.  The  young  ones,  as  they  defceml,  are  caught 
in  a  noofe,  and  are  either  kept  or  killed  for  provifion.  Their 
paws  are  faid  to  be  a  great  delicacy,  and  their  hams-  are  well 
enough  known  at  the  tables  of  the  luxurious  here.  Their  fat  al- 
fo,  which  ftill  preferves  a  certain  degree  of  fluidity,  is  fuopo- 
fed  to  be  an  efficacious  remedy,  in  white  or  indolent:  tumours, 
tho'  probable  very  little  fuperior  to  hog's-lard. 

The  white  Greenland  bear  differs  greatly,  both  in  figure 
and  dimenfions,  from  tho fe  already  defcribed;  and  tho'  it  pre- 
fer'ves  in  general  the  external  form  of  its  more  fouthern  kin- 
dred, yet  it  grows  to  about  three  times  the  fize.  The  brown 
bear  is  feldom  above  fix  feet  long;  the  white  bear  is  often 
known  from  twelve  to  thirteen.  The  brown  bear  is  made  ra- 
ther ftrong  and  fturdy,  like  the  mailiff ;  the  Greenland  bear, 
though  covered  with  very  long  hair,  and  apparently  bulky,  is  ne- 
verthelefs  more  flender,  both  as  to  the  head,  neck,  and  body, 
and  more  inclining  to  the  ihape  of  the  grey-hound.  In  fhort, 
all  the  variations  of  its  figure  and  its  colour,  fcem  to  proceed  from 
the  coldnefs  of  the  climate,  where  it  refides,  and  the  nature  of 
the  food  it  is  fupplied  with. 

The  white  bear  feems  the  only  animal,  that,  by  being  placed 
in  the  coldeft  climate,  grows  larger  than  thofe  that  live  in  the 
temperate  zones.  All  other  fpecies  of  animated  nature,  dimi- 
r.iih  as  they  approach  the  poles,  and  feem  contracted  in  their 
fize,  by  the  rigours  of  the  ambient  atmofphere,  but  the  bear, 
being  unmolefted  in  thefe  defolate  climates,  and  meeting  no 
animal,  but  what  he  can  eafily  conquer,  finding  alfo  a  fuffici- 
cntfupply  of  uiliy  provifions,  he  grows  to  an  enormous  fize, 
and  as  the  lion  is  the  tyrant  of  an  African  foreft,  fo  the  bear  re- 
mains the  undifputed  mafter  of  the  icy  mountains  in  Spitz- 
bergen  and  Greenland.  When  our  mariners  land  upon  thofe 
ihores,  in  fuch  parts  as  have  riot  been  frequented  before,  the. 
white  bears  come  down  to  view  them  with  an  aukward  curio- 
fity  j  they  approach  fl owl y,  feeming  undetermined,  whether  to 
advance  or  retreat,  and  being  naturally  a  timorous  animal,  they 
are  only  urged  on  by  the  confcious  experience  of  their  fortner 


THE  BEAR.  4z; 

vicr,or:cs  ;  hov/cvcr,  when  they  are  (hot  at,  or  wounded,  they 
endeavour  to  fly,  or  finding  that  impracticable,  they  make  a 
fierce  and  dcfperats  re  f"  '.11  they  die.  As  they  live  upon 

fifli  and  feals,  their  Hci'li  is  too  flrongfor  food,  and  the  captors 
have  nothing  but  the  ikin,  to  reward  them  for  the  dangers  in- 
curred in  the  engagement. 

The  number  of  thefe  animals  that  are  found  about  the 
north-pole,  if  we  coniicler  the  icarcity  thereof,  of  all  other  ter- 
reftrial  creatures,  is  very  amazing.  They  are  not  only  feen  at 
land,  but  often  on  ice-floats,  feveral  leagues  at  fea,  They  are 
often  tranfported  in  this  manner  to  the  very  mores  of  Iceland, 
where  they  no  fooner  land,  but  all  the  natives  are  in  arms  to 
receive  them.  It  often  happens,  that  when  a  Greenlander  and 
his  wife  are  paddling  out  at  fea,  by  coming  too  near  an  ice- 
float,  a  white  bear  unexpectedly  jumps  into  their  boat,  and  if 
he  does  not  overfet  it,  fits  calmly  where  he  firft  came  downj 
and,  like  a  paflenger,  fuffers  himfelf  to  be  rowed  along.  It  is  pro- 
bable the  poor  little  Greenlander  is  not  very  fond  of  his  new* 
gueft,  however,  he  makes  a  virtue  of  neceflily,  and  hofpitably 
him  to  more. 


As  this  animal  lives  chiefly  upon  fiih,  feais,  and  dead  whales, 
it  feldom  removes  far  from  the  fhore.  When  forced  by  hun- 
ger, it  often  ventures  into  the  deep,  fwims  after  feals,  and  de- 
vours whatever  it  can  feize;  it  is,  however,  but  a  bad  fwimmer, 
and  is  often  hunted  in  this  manner  by  boats,  till  it  is  fatigued, 
and  at  lad  deftroyed.  It  often  happens  that  a  battle  enfuesbetweeii 
a  bear  and  a  morfe,  or  a  whale  ;  as  the  latter  are  more  expert 
in  their  own  element,  they  generally  prove  victorious.  Howe- 
ver, when  the  bear  can  find  a  young  whale,  it  repays  hh.  . 
the  danger  he  incurs  of  -meeting  with  the  parent. 


42*  AN  HISTORY  OF 


CHAP        XXV, 
The  Badger. 

THE  badger's  legs  are  fo  fhort,  that  its  belly  feems  to  toucft 
the  ground;  this,  however,  is  but  a  deceitful  appearance,. 
as  it  is  caufed  by  the  length  of  the  hair,  which  is  very  long  all 
over  the  body,  and  makes  it  feem  much  more  bulky  than  it 
really  is.  It  is  a  folitary  ftupid  animal,  that  finds  refuge,  remote 
from  man,  and  digs  itfelf  a  deep  hole,  with  great  afitduity.  It 
ieems  to  avoid  the  light,  and  feldom  quits  its  retreat  by  day, 
only  dealing  out  at  night  to  find  fubfiftence.  it  burrows  in  the- 
ground  very  eafy,  its  legs  being  fhort  and  ftrong,  and  its  claws, 
fliff  and  horny.  As  it  continues  to  bury  itfeif,  and  throw  the 
earth  behind  it,  to  a  great  diftance,  k  thus  forms  to  itfelf  a 
winding  hole,  at  the  bottom  of  which  k  remains  in  fafety.  As 
the  fox  is  not  fo  expert  at  digging  into  the  earth,  it  often  takes 
poflefEon  of  that  which  has  been  quitted  by  the  badger,  and 
fome  fay,  forces  it  from  its  retreat,,  by  laying  its  excrements  at 
the  mouth  of  the  badger's  hole. 

This  animal,  however,  is  not  long  in  making  itfelf  a  new'  ha- 
bitation,, from  which  it  feldom  ventures  far,  as  it  flies  but  flow- 
ly,  and  can  find  fafety  only  in  the  ftrength  of  its  retreat.  When 
it  i'-i  furprized  by  the  dogs  at  fome  diflance  from  its  hole,  it 
then  combats  with  defperate  refolution  ;  it  falls  upon  its  back* 
defends  itfelf  on  every  fide,  and  feldom  .dies  unrevenged  in  the 
snidft  of  its  enemies* 

The  badger,  like  the  fox,  is  a  carnivorous  animal*  asd  no- 
thing thathas  life  can  come  ainifs  to  it.  It  fleeps  the  greatefl  part 
of  its  time,  and  thus,  without  being  a  voracious  feeder,  it  (till 
keeps  fat%  particularly  in.  winter-  They  always-  keep,  their  hole 
very  clean,  and  when  the  female  brings  forth,  fhe  makes  a  com- 
fortable warm  bed  of  hay,  at  the  bottom  of  her  hole,  for  the 
reception  of  her  young.  She  brings  forth  in  fummer,  general- 
ly to  the  number  of  three  or  four,  which  Hie  feeds  at  firlt  witli 


Mate  AA\\  Tl  . 


WhifrMw. 


THE    RHINOCEROS.  39? 

folds,  after  a  very  peculiar  f aft  ion  :  there  are  two  folds  very 
remarkable  ;  .one  above  the  flioulders,  and  another  over  the 
rump  :  the  (kin,  which  is  of  a  dirty  brown  colour,  is  fo  thick, 
»  turn  the  edge  of  a  fcymitar,  and  to  re  lift  u  muiquet-ball ; 
the  belly  hangs  low  ;  the  legs  are  ill  or  t,  ftrong  and  thick,  and 
the  hoofs  divided  into  three  parts,  each  pointing  forward. 

Such  is  the  general  outline  oF  an  animal  that  appears  chief- 
ly formidable  from  the  horn  growing  from  its  incut  }  and 
formed  rather  for  war,  than  with  a  propensity  to  engage- 
Thi?  horn  is  fometimes  found  from  three  to  three  feet  and  a 
,  growing  from  the  folid  bone,  and  fo  difpofed,  as  to 
be  m  to  the  greareft  advantage.  It  is  competed  of  the 

moft  folid  fubftance  ;  and  pointed  fo  as  to  inflict  the  moil 
fatal  wounds.  The  elephant,  the  boar,  or  the  buffalo,  are 
obliged  to  ftrike  tranfven'dy  with  their  weapons ;  but  the  rhi- 
v  mploys  all  his  force  with  every  blow  \  fo  that  tli* 
tieer  will  more  willingly  attack  any  other  animal  of  tlu  foivfb, 
than  one  whofe  ftrength  is  fo  juftly  employed..  Indeed,  there" 
is  no  force  which  this  terrible  animal  has  to  apprehend  :  de- 
fended, on  every  fide,  by  a  thick  horny  hide,  which  the  cl 
of  the  lion  or  r  are  unable  to  pierce,  and  armrd  b-- 

\vith  a   weapon  that  even  the  elephant  does  not  choofe  to  op- 
.•hTioners  alTurc   u?,  that   the  elephant  is  often 
found   o<  ?  fore  Its,   pierced  with  the  horn  of  a  rl: 

%-eros  •    ".nd    I  i"   looks  like  wiidom  to  doubt  i 

I  cannot  help  giving  credit  to  what  the- 

late  on  this  occafion,  particularly  when  confirmed  by  Pliny, 
The  combat  between  thefe  two,  the  moft  formidable  animals 
of  the  foreft,  mult  be  very  dreadful.  Emanuel,  king  of  Per- 
il, willing  to  try  their  ftrength,  actually  oppofed  them  to 
each  other;  and  the  elephant  was  defeated. 

•But  though  the  rhinoceros  is  thus  formidable  by  nature, 
yet  imagination  has  not  failed  to  exert  itfelf,  in  adding  to  its 
terrors.  The  fcent  is  faid  to  be  moft  exquifite  ;  and  it  is  af- 
firmed, that  it  conforts  with  the  tiger.  It  is  reported  alfo,  that 
v,  ken  it  has  overturned  a  man,  or  any  other  animal,  it  contt- 


AN   HISTORY    OF 

nues  to  lick  the  flefh  quite  from  the  bone  with  its  tongue, 
which  is  faid  to  be  extremely  rough.  All  this,  however,  is 
fabulous:  the  fcent,  if  we  may  judge  from  the  expanfion  of  the 
dfa&ory  nerves,  is  not  greater  than  that  of  a  hog,  which  we 
know  to  be  indifferent ;  it  keeps  company  with  the  tiger,  only 
becaufe  they  both  frequent  watery  places  in  the  burning  cli- 
mates where  they  are  bred ;  and  as  to  its  rough  tongue,  that 
is  fo  far  from  the  truth,  that  ho  animal  of  near  its  fize  has  lo 
foft  a  one.  "  I  have  often  felt  it  myfelf,"  fays  Ladvocat,  in 
his  defcription  of  this  animal ;  "  it  is  finooth,  foft,  and  fmall, 
like  that  of  a  dog  ;  and  to  the  feel  it  appears  as  if  one  pafTed 
the  hand  over  velvet.  I  have  often  feen  it  lick  a  young  man's 
face  who  kept  it  j  and  both  feemed  pleafed  with  the  action." 

The  rhinoceros  which  was  mown  at  London  in  1739,  and 
defcribed  by  do&or  Parfons,  had  been  fent  from  Bengal. 
Though  it  was  very  young,  not  being  above  two  years  old,  yet 
the  charge  of  his  carriage  and  food  from  India,  coft  near  a 
thoufand  pounds.  It  was  fed  with  rice,  fugar,  and  hay  ;  it  was 
daily  fupplkd  with  feven  pounds  of  rice,  mixed  with  three  of 
fugar,  divided  into  three  portions  ;  it  was  given  great  quanti- 
ties of  hay  and  grafs,  which  it  chiefly  preferred  ;  its  drink  was 
water,  which  it  took  in  great  quantities.  It  was  of  a  gentle 
difpofition,  and  permitted  itfelf  to  be  touched  and  handled  by 
all  vifitors,  never  attempting  mifchief,  except  when  abufed,  or 
•when  hungry  ;  in  fuch  a  cafe,  there  was  no  method  of  appeaf- 
ing  its  fury,  but  by  giving  it  fomething  to  eat.  When  angry, 
it  would  jump  up  againfl  the  walls  of  its  room,  with  great  vio- 
lence ;  and  made  many  efforts  to  efcape,  but  feldom  attempted 
toattack  its  keeper,  and  was  always  fubmiflive  to  his  threats. 
It  had  a  peculiar  cry,  fomewhat  a  mixture  between  the  grunt- 
ingof  a  hog,  and  the  bellowing  of  a  calf. 

The  age  of  thefe  animals  is  not  well  known;  it  is  faid  by  fome, 
that  they  bring  forth  at  three  years  old,  and  if  we  may  reafon 
from  analogy,  it  is  probable  they  feldom  live  till  above  twenty. 
That  which  was  fliown  in  London,  was  faid,  by  its  keeper,  to 
be  eighteen  years  old  ;  and  even  at  that  age,  he  pretended  to 


THE   RHINOCEROS. 

oonfider  it  as  a  young  one  ;  however  it  died  fhortly  after, 
and  that  probably  in  the  courfe  of  nature. 

The  rhinoceros  is  a  native  of  the  defarts  of  AGa  and  Afri- 
ca, and  is  ufually  found  in  thofe  extenfive  forefts,  that  are  fre- 
quented by  the  elephant  and  the  lion.  As  it  fubfifts  entirely 
upon  vegetable  food,  it  is  peaceful  and  harmlefs  among  its 
fellows  of  the  brute  creation  ;  but,  though  ic  never  provoke* 
to  combat,  it  equally  difdains  to  fly.  It  is  every  way  fitted  for 
war,  but  refts  content  in  the  confcioufnefs  of  its  fecurity.  Ic 
is  particularly  fond  of  the  prickly  branches  of  trees,  and  is 
feen  to  feed  upon  fuch  thorny  fhrubs  as  would  be  dangerous 
to  other  animals,  either  to  gather,  or  to  fwallow.  The  prickly 
points  of  thefe,  however,  may  only  ferve  to  give  a  poignant 
relifh  to  this  animal's  palate,  and  may  anfwer  the  fame  grate- 
ful ends  in  feafoning  its  banquet,  that  fpices  do  in  heighten- 
ing ours. 

In  fome  parts  of  the  kingdom  of  Afia,  where  the  natives 
are  more  defirous  of  appearing  warlike  than  fhowing  them- 
felves  brave,  thefe  animals  are  tamed,  and  led  into  the  field 
to  ilrike  terror  into  the  enemy  j  but  they  are  always  an  un- 
manageable and  reftive  animal,  and  probably  more  dangerous 
to  the  employers,  than  thofe  whom  they  are  brought  to  op- 
pofe. 

The  method  of  taking  them,  is  chiefly  watching  them,  till 
they  are  found  either  in  fome  moift  or  marfhy  place,  where, 
like  hogs,  they  are  fond  of  fleeping  and  wallowing.  They 
then  deftroy  the  old  one  with  fire-arms,  for  no  weapons,  that 
are  thrown  by  the  force  of  man,  are  capable  of  entering 
this  animal's  hide.  If,  when  the  old  one  is  deftroyed,  there; 
happens  to  be  a  cub,  they  feize  and  tame  it :  thefe  animals 
are  fometimes  taken  in  pit-falls,  covered  with  green  branches, 
laid  in  thofe  paths  which  the  rhinoceros  makes  in  going  from 
the  foreft  to  the  river  fide. 

There  are  fome  varieties  in  this  animal,  as  in  mod  others  5 
fome  of  them  are  found  in  Africa  witl>  a  double  horn, 

VOL.  II.  3  E 


402  AN   HISTORY   OF 

growing  above  the  other  ;  this  weapon,  if  confidered  in  itfelf, 
is  one  of  the  ftrongeft,  and  mod  dangerous,  rhat  nature  fur- 
nithes  to  any  part  of  the  animal  creation.  The  horn  is  entire- 
ly folid,  formed  of  the  hardeft  bony  fub  (lance,  growing  from 
the  upper  maxillary  bone,  by  fo  ftrorg  an  apophyfe,  as  feem- 
Jngly  to  make  but  one  part  with  it.  Many  are  the  medicinal 
virtues  that  are  afcribed  to  this  horn,  when  taken  in  powder, 
but  thefe  qualities  have  been  attributed  to  it,  without  any  reaj 
foundation,  and  make  only  a  fin  all  part  of  the  many  fables 
which  this  extraordinary  animal  has  given  rife  to. 


CHAP.     XIX. 

^Tbc  Hippopotamos. 

r  |  ^HE  hippopotamos  is  an  animal  as  large,  and  not  lefs  for- 
JL  midable  than  the  rhinoceros  ;  Its  legs  are  fhorter,  and 
its  head  rather  more  bulky  than  that  of  the  animal  laft  de- 
fcribed.  We  had  had  but  few  opportunities  in  Europe  of  ex- 
amining this  formidable  creature  minutely,  its  dimenfions, 
however,  have  been  pretty  well  afcertairied,  by  a  description 
given  us  by  Zerenghi,  an  Italian  furgeon,  who  procured" one 
of  them  to  be  killed  on  the  banks  of  the  river  Nile.  By  his 
account  it  appears,  that  this  terrible  animal,  which  chiefly  re- 
fides  in  the  waters  of  that  river,  is  above  feventeen  feet  long, 
from  the  extremity  of  the  fnout,  to  the  infertion  of  the  tail , 
above  fixteen  feet  in  circumference  round  the  body,  and  above 
feven  feet  high  :  the  head  is  near  four  feet  long,  and  above 
nine  feet  in  circumference.  The  jaws  open  about  two  feet 
wide,  and  the  cutting  teeth,  of  which  it  hath  four  in  each  jaw, 
are  above  a  foot  long. 

Its  feet,  in  fome  meafure,  refemble  thofe  of  the  elephant, 
and  are  divided  into  four  parts.  The  tail  is  fhort,  flat,  and 
pointed  j  the  hide  is  amazingly  thick,  and  though  not  capable 


THE    HIPPOPOTAMOb.  403 

of  turning  a  mufket  ball,  is  impenetrable  to  the  blow  of  n 
bre  ;  the  body  is  covered  over  with  a  few  fcuttered  hairs,  of  a 
whitifh  colour.  The  whole  figure  of  the  animal  is  fomething 
between  that  of  an  ox  and  a  hog,  and  its  cry  is  fomething  be* 
tween  the  bellowing  of  the  one,  and  the  grunting  of  the 
other. 

This  animal,  however,  though  fo  terribly  furnifhed  for  war, 
feems  no  way  difpofed  to  make  ufe  of  its  prodigious  (Irength 
againft  an  equal  enemy;  it  chiefly  refides  at  the  bottom  of  the 
great  rivers  and  lakes  of  Africa,  the  Nile,  the  Niger,  and  the 
Zara  ;  there  it  leads  an  indolent  kind  of  life,  and  feems  feldoni 
difpofed  for  action,  except  when  excited  by  the  calls  of  hun- 
ger. Upon  fuch  occafions,  three  or  four  of  them  are  often  feen 
at  the  bottom  of  a  river,  near  fome  cataract,  forming  a  kind  of 
line,  and  feizing  upon  fuch  flm  as  are  forced  down  by  the 
violence  of  the  dream,  In  that  element  they  purfue  their  prey 
with  great  fwiftnefs  and  perfeverance  ;  they  fwim  with  much 
force,  and  remain  at  the  bottom  for  thirty  or  forty  minutes 
without  rifing  to  take  breath.  They  traverfe  the  bottom  of  the 
ftream,  as  if  walking  upon  land,  and  make  a  terrible  devaila- 
tion  where  they  find  plenty  of  prey.  But  it  often  happens,  that 
this  animal's  fiihy  food  is  not  fuppiied  in  fufficient  abundance, 
it  is  then  forced  to  come  upon  land,  where  it  is  an  aukward 
and  unwieldy  ftranger;  it  moves  but  (lowly,  and,  as  it  feldom 
forfakes  the  magin  of  the  river,  it  finks  at  every  ftep  it  takes; 
fometimes,  however,  it  is  forced,  by  famine,,  up  into  the  high- 
er grounds,  where  it  commits  dreadful  havcck  among  the  plan- 
tations of  thehelplefs  natives,  who  fee  their  poiTeilions  deftroy- 
ed,  without  daring  to  refift  their  invader.  Their  chief  method 
is,  by  lighting  fires,  ftriking  drums,  and  railing  a  cry  to  fright- 
en it  back  to  its  favourite  element;  and,  as  it  is  extremly  timo- 
rous upon  land,  they  generally  fucceed  in  their  endeavours. 
But  if  they  happen  to  wound,  or  otherways  irritate  it  too  clofe- 
ly,  it  then  becomes  formidable  to  all  that  oppofe  it:  it  over- 
turns whatever  it  meets,  and  brings  forth  all  its  ftrength,  which 
it  feemed  not  to  have  diicovered  before  that  dangerous  occa- 
fion.  It  poffelfcs  the  fame  inoffenfive  diippfitiou  in  its 


4o4  AN  HISTORY  OF 

rite  element,  that  it  is  found  to  have  upon  land  ;  it  is  never 
found  to  attack  the  mariners  in  their  boats,  as  they  go  up  or 
down  the  itream;  but  fliould  they  inadvertently  ftrike  againft 
it,  or  otherwife  difturbits  repofe,  there  is  much  danger  of  its 
lending  them,  at  once,  to  the  bottom.  "  I  have  feen,  fays  a 
mariner,  as  we  find  it  in  Dumpier,  one  of  thefe  animals  open 
its  jaws,  and  feizing  any  boat  between  his  teeth,  at  once,  bite 
and  fink  it  to  the  bottom.  I  have  feen  it  upon  another  occa- 
fion,  place  itfelf  under  one  of  our  boats,  and  rifmg  under  it, 
overfetit  with  fix  men  which  were  in  it;  who,  however,  hap- 
pily received  no  other  injury.5*  Such  is  the  great  ftrength  of 
tins  animal ;  and  from  hence,  probably,  the  imagination  has 
been  willing  to  match  it  in  combat  againft  others  more  fierce 
and  equally  formidable.  The  crocodile  and  {hark  have  been 
faid  to  engage  with  it,  and  yield  an  eafy  victory ;  but  as  the 
fhark  is  only  found  at  fea,  and  the  hippopotamos  never  ven- 
tures beyond  the  mouth  of  freih-water  rivers,  it  is  mod  pro- 
bable that  thefe  engagements  never  occurred  ;  it  fometimes 
happens,  indeed,  that  the  princes  of  Africa  amufe  themfelves 
"with  combats,  on  their  freih-water  lakes,  between  this  and 
other  formidable  animals ;  but  whether  the  rhinoceros  or  the 
crocodile  are  of  this  number,  we  have  not  been  particularly 
informed.  If  this  animal  be  attacked  at  land,  and  finding  itfelf 
incapable  of  vengeance  from  the  fwiftnefs  of  its  enemy,  it  irn- 
Biediately  returns  to  the  river,  where  it  plunges  in  head  fore- 
molt,  and  after  a  {hort  time,  rifes  to  the  furface,  loudly  bellowing 
cither  to  invite  or  intimidate  the  enemy;  but  though  the  Negroes 
•will  venture  to  attack  the  {hark,  or  the  crocodile,  in  their  natural 
element,  and  there  deftroy  them,  they  are  too  well  apprifed  of 
the  force  of  the  hippopotamos  to  engage  it ;  this  animal,  there- 
fore, continues  the  uncontrolled  mailer  of  the  river,  and  all 
others  fly  from  its  approach  and  become  an  eafy  prey. 

As  the  hippopotamos  lives  upon  fifti  and  vegetables,  fo  it  is 
probable  the  flem  of  terreftrial  animals  may  be  equally  grate- 
ful :  the  natives  of  Africa  aflert,  that  it  has  often  been  found 
to  devour  children  and  other  creatures  that  it  was  able  to  fur- 
prife  upon  land;  yet  it  moves  but  flowly,  almoft  every  crea- 


THE  CAMELOPARD.  405 

fure  endued  with  a  common  mare  of  fwiftnefs,  is  able  to  ef- 
ir ;  and  this  animal,  therefore,   feldom  ventures  from  the 
river  iide,  but  \vhen  preffed  by  the  necdiities  of  hunger,  or  of 
bringing  forth  its  young. 

The  female  always  comes  upon  land  to  bring  forth,  and  it 
is  fuppofat  that  (he  feldom  produces  above  one  at  a  time  ;  up- 
on this  occafion,  thefe  animals  are  particularly  timorous,  and 
dread  the  approach  of  a  terreftrial  enemy  j  the  inftant  the  pa- 
rent hears  the  flighted  noife,  it  dailies  into  the  dream,  and  the 
young  one  is  feen  to  follow  it  with  equal  alacrity. 

The  young  ones  are  faid  to  be  excellent  eating  ;  but  the  Ne- 
groes, to  \v  horn  nothing  that  has  life  comes  amifs,  find  an  equal 
delicacy  in  the  old.  Dr.  Pococke  has  feen  their  flefh  fold  in  the 
ihambles,  like  beef;  and  it  is  faid,  that  their  bread,  in  particu- 
lar, is  as  delicate  eating  as  veal.  As  for  the  red,  thefe  animals 
are  found  in  great  numbers,  and  as  they  produce  very  fad, 
their  flem  might  fupply  the  countries  where  they  are  found, 
could  thofe  babarous  regions  produce  more  expert  hontfmen  ; 
it  may  be  remarked,  however,  that  this  creature,  which  was 
once  in  fuch  plenty  at  the  mouth  of  the  Nile,  is  now  wholly 
unknown  in  Lower  Egypt,  and  is  no  where  to  be  found  in 
that  river,  except  above  the  cataracts. 


CHAP.    XX. 

The  Camelcpard. 

WERE  we  to  be  told  of  an  animal  fo  tall,  that  a  man  on 
horfeback  could  with  eafe  ride  under. its  belly,  without 
(looping,  we  fhould  kardly  give  credit  to  the  relation  ;  yet,  of 
this  extraordinary  fize,  is  the  camelopard,  an  animal  that  inha- 
bits the  deferts  of  Africa,  and  the  accounts  of  which  arc 
well  afcertained,  that  we  cannot  deny  our  'aflent  to  their  autho- 
rity. It  is  no  eafy  matter  to  form  an  adequate  idea  of  this  crea- 
ture's fize,  and  the  oddity  of  its  formation.  It  exhibits  fome- 


-»o6  AN  HISTORY  OF 

t  the  (lender  fliape  of  the  deer,  or  the  camel,  but  deftitute 
of  their  fymmetry,  or  their  eafy  power  of  motion.  The  head 
Jomewhat  refembles  that  of  the  deer,  with  two  round  horns, 
near  a  foot  long,  and  which  it  is  probable,  it  fheds  as  deer  are 
found  to  do  ;  its  neck  refembles  that  of  a  horfe  ;  its  legs  and 
feet,  thofe  of  the  deer,  but  with  this  extraordinary  difference, 
that  the  fore  legs  are  near  twice  as  long  as  the  hinder.  As  theft- 
creatures  have  been  found  eighteen  feet  high,  and  ten  from 
the  ground  to  the  top  of  the  moulders,  fo  allowing  three  feet 
for  the  depth  of  the  body,  feven  feet  remain,  which  is  high 
enough  to  admit  a  man  mounted  upon  a  middle-fized  horfe. 
The  hinder  part,  however,  is  much  lower,  fo  that  when  the 
animal  appears  {landing,  and  at  reft,  it  has  fomewhat  the  ap- 
pearance of  a  dog  fitting,  and  this  formation  of  its  legs,  gives 
it  an  aukward  and  laborious  motion  ;  which,  though  fwift, 
muft  yet  be  tirefome.  For  this  reafon,  the  camelopard  is  an 
animal  very  rarely  found,  and  only  finds  refuge  in  the  moil  in- 
ternal defart  regions  of  Africa.  The  dimenfions  of  a  young  one, 
as  they  were  accurately  taken  by  a  perfon,  who  examined  its 
ikin,  that  was  brought  from  the  Cape  of  Good-Hope,  were 
found  to  be  as  follow  :  the  length  of  the  head,  was  one  foot 
eight  inches  •,  the  height  of  the  fore-leg,  from  the  ground  to 
the  top  of  the  moulder,  was  ten  feet ;  from  the  moulder  to  the 
top  of  the  head,  was  feven  ;  the  height  of  the  hind  leg,  was 

it  feet  five  inches;  and  from  the  top  of  the  moulder,  to  the 
iiifertion  of  the  tail,  wrasjuft  feven  feet  long. 

No   animal,    either  from  its   difpofition,  or  its   formation, 

.-s  lefs  fitted  for  a  itate  of  natural  hoftility  ;   its  horns  are 

-r,  and  even  knobbed  at  the  ends ;    its  teeth  are  made  en- 

[y  for  vegetable  paflure  ;  its  ikin  is  beautifully  fpeckled  with 

\vhite  fpots,  upon  a  brownifli  ground  ;  it  is  timorous  and  harm- 

lefs,  and,  norwithftanding  its  great  fize,  rather  flies  from,  than 

:ts  the  flighted  enemy  ;  it  partakes  very  much  of  the  nature 

of  the:  camel,  which  it  fo  nearly  refembles  ;  it  lives  entirely  up- 

.  bles,  and  when  grazing,  is  obliged  to  fpread  its  fore 

very  wide,  in  order  to  reach  its  p:ifture;  its  motion  is   a 

:  of  pace,  two  legs  on  each  tide  moving  at  die  fame  time, 


THE  CAMEL  AND^DROMEDARY. 

whereas  in  other  anhrnls  they  move  tranfverfely.  It  often 
down  with  its  belly  to  the  earth,  and  like  the  camel,  has  a  cal- 
lous fubilance  upon  its  breaft,  which,  when  repofed,  defends 
it  from  injury.  This  animal  was  known  to  the  ancirr.ts/  but 
lias  been  very  rarely  feen  in  Europe.  One  of  them    - 
from  the  call  to  the  emperor  of  Germany,  in  the  year  1559,  but 
they  have  often  been  iecn  tame  at  Grand  Cairo,  in  Egypt ;  and 
I  am  toid  there  are  two  there  at  prefent.  When  ancient  Rome 
was  in  its  fplcndor,    Pompey  exhibited,   at  one   time,  no 
than  ten,  upon  the  theatre.  It  wr.s  the  barbarous   pleafure  of 
the  people,  at  that  time,  to  fee  the  moft  terrible,  and  moft  ex- 
i.iry   animals  produced  in  combat   againft   each  other. 
The  lion,  the  lynx,  the  tiger,  the  elephant,  the  hippopotamos, 
were  all  let  loofc  promifcuouily,  and  were  feen  to  inflict  in- 
difcriminate  deilruciion. 


CHAP.        XXL 

The  Gamely  and  the  Dromes  - 

THESE  names  do  not  make  two  diftinct  kinds,  but  arc  on- 
ly given  to  a  variety  of  the  fame  animal,  which  has,  how- 
ever, fubfiiled  time  immemorial.  The  principal,  and  perhaps 
the  only  fenlible  difference,  by  which  thofe  two  races  are  dif- 
tinguiihed,  confifts  in  this,  that  the  camel  has  two  bunches  up- 
on his  back,  whereas  the  dromedary  has  but  one;  the  latter 
alib,  is  neither  fo  large,  nor  fo  flrong  as  the  camel.  Thefe  two 
races,  however,  produce  with  each  other,  and  the  mixed  breed 
formed  between  them,  is  confidered  the  belt,  the  mod  patient, 
and  the  moft  indefatigable  of  all  the  kind. 

Of  the  two  varieties,  the  dromedary  is,  by  far,  the  moft  nu- 
merous ;  the  camel  being  fcarcely  found,  except  in  Turkey, 
and  the  countries  of  the  Levant,  while  the  other  is  found  fpread 
over  all  the  defarts  of  ArrMa,  the  fouthern  parts  of  Africa,  Per- 
fia,  Tartary,  and  a  great  part  pf  the  eaftern  Indies.  Thus,  the 


AN  HISTORY  OF 

one  inhabits  an  immenfe  tra&  of  country,  the  other,  in  com- 
parifon,'  is  confined  to  a  province ;  the  one  inhabits  the  fultry 
countries  of  die  torrid  Zone,  the  other  delights  in  a  warm,  but 
not  a  burning  climate;  neither,  however}  can  fubfift,  or  pro- 
pagate, in  the  variable  climates  towards  the  north,  they  feem 
formed  for  thofe  countries  where  (hrubs  are  plenty  and  water 
fcarce  ;  where  they  can  travel  along  the  fandy  defart,  without 
being  impeded  by  rivers,  and  find  food  at  expected  diflances ; 
fuch  a  country  is  Arabia,  and  this  of  all  others,  feems  the  mod 
adapted  to  the  fupport  and  production  of  this  animal. 

The  camel  is  the  mod  temperate  of  all  animals,  and  it  can 
continue  to  travel  feveral  days  without  drinking.  In  thofe  vail 
defarts,  where  the  earth  is  every  where  dry  and  fandy,  where 
there  are  neither  birds  nor  beails,  neither  infe&s  nor  vegeta- 
tables,  where  nothing  is  to  be  feen  but  hills  of  fand  and  heaps 
of  bones,  there  the  camel  travels,  porting  forward,  without  re- 
quiring either  drink  or  pafture,  and  is  often  found  fix  or  feven 
days  without  any  fuflenance  whatfoever.  Its  feet  are  formed 
for  travelling  upon  fand,  and  utterly  unfit  for  moid  or  marftiy 
places;  the  inhabitants,  therefore,  find  a  moft  ufeful  affiflant  in 
this  animal,  where  no  other  could  fubli ft,  and  by  its  means, 
crofs  thofe  defarts  with  fafety,  which  would  be  unpayable  by 
any  other  method  of  conveyance. 

An  animal,  thus  formed  for  a  fandy  and  defart  region,  can- 
not be  propagated  in  one  of  a  different  nature.  Many  vain  ef- 
forts have  been  tried  to  propagate  the  camel  in  Spain ;  they 
have  been  tranfported  into  America,  but  have  multiplied  in 
neither.  It  is  true,  indeed,  that  they  may  be  brought  into  thefe 
countries,  and  may,  perhaps,  be  found  to  produce  there,  but 
the  care  of  keeping  them  is  fo  great,  and  the  accidents  to 
which  they  are  expofcd,  from  the  changeablenefs  of  the  cli- 
mate, are  fo  many,  that  they  cannot  anfwer  the  care  of  keep- 
ing. In  a  few  years  alfo,  they  are  feen  to  degenerate ;  their 
flrcngth  and  their  patience  for  fake  them  ;  and,  inftead  of  ma- 
king the  riches,,  they  become  the  burden,  of  their  keepers. 

But  it  is  very  different  in  Arabia,  and  thofe  countries  where 


THE  CAMEL  AND  DROMEDARY. 

the  camel  is  turned  to  ufeful  purpofcs.  It  is  there  con  fid. 
as  a  faured  animal,  without  whofc  help,  the  natives  cotiid  nei- 
ther fubiiii,  traffic,  nor  travel ;   its  milk  makts  a  part  of  : 
nourifliment ;    they   feed   upon    its   fiefh,   particularly   when 
young  ;  they  clothe  themfelves  with   its  hair,  which  it  is  feen, 
to  moult  regularly  once  a  year,  and  if  they   fear  an  invading 
enemy,  their  camels  ferve  them  in  flight,  and  in  a  fingle  day, 
they  are  kncv  .vel  above  a  hundred  miles.    Thus,  by 

means  of  the  camel,  an  Arabian  finds  fafety  in  his  deicrts  ~, 
the  armies  upon  earth  might  be  loll  in  the  purfuit  of  a  flying 
fquadron  of  this  country,  mounted  upon  their  camels,  and  ta- 
king refuge  in  folitudes,  where  nothing  interpofes  to  {top  tl 
flight,  or  to  force  them  to  await  the  invader.  Nothing  can  be 
more  dreary  than  the   afpe£i  of  thefe  fandy  plains,  that  : 
entirely    forfaken  .of  life   and  vegetation  :  wherever   the  eye 
turns,  nothing  is  prefented  but  a  lierile  and  duity  foil,  L 

:s  torn  up  by  the  winds,  and  moving  in  great  waves  along,, 
which,  when  viewed  from  an  eminence,  reiembles  lefs  the 
earth  than  the  ocean;  here  and  there  a  few  flirubs  appear  that 
only  teach  us  to  wiili  for  the  grove,  that  reminds  us  of  the 

._•  in  thefe  fultry  climates,  without  affording  its  rcfreih- 
ment ;  the  return  of  morning,  which,  in  other  places,  carries 
an  idea  of  chearfiilnefs,  here  fcrves  only  to  enlighten  the  end- 
lefs  and  dreary  wafte,  and  to  prefent  the  travelkr  with  an 
unfinifhed  profpecl  of  his  forlorn  iltuation  ;  yet,  in  this  chafm 
of  nature  ,  by  the  help  of  the  ^  1C  Arabian  finds  fafety 

and  fubliftence.  There  are  her-  :e  found  fpots  of 

.  which,  though  remote  from  each  other,  are,  in  a  manner, 
approximated  by  the  labour  and  induftry  of  the  camel.  Thus 

«  deferts*  which  prefent  the  ilranger  with  nothing  but  ob- 
jects of  danger  and   iterility,  aflord  the  inhabitant  protection, 
food  and  liberty.  The  Arabi  in  lives  independent  and  tranquil 
in  the  midlt  of  his  folitudes;  and,    inftead  of  confidering  the 
vaft  folitudes  fpread  round  him  as  a   reltraint  upon  his  h.. 
nefs,  he  is,  by  experience,  taught  to  rerrsrd  them  as  the  • 
parts  of  his  freedom. 

VOL.  II. 


AN  HISTORY  OF 

The  camel  is  eafily  indru&ec1  ffl  il  e  methods  of  taVmg  up 

>orting  his  burden  ;    their  Ic-j. ;-.,  a  few  days  after  they 

>icecl,  are  bent   under  their  belly  :  they  are   in  this 

-manner  loaded,  and  taught  ro  rife  ;  their  burden  i-s  every  day 

. .caicd,  by  infenfible  degrees,  till  the  animal  is  capable 

rting  ai  weight  adequate  to  its  forte  :  the  fame  care  is 

king   them   patient  of  hunger  and  third  :  while 

other  animals  receive  their  food  at   dated  times,  the  camel  is 

\!  for  days  together,  and  thefe  intervals  of  famine  are 

eafed  in  proportion  as  the  animal  Teems  capable  of  fudain- 

them.  By  this  method  of  education,  they  live  five  or  fix 

without  food  or  water;   and  their  flomach  is  formed  mod 

admirablyby  nature,  to  fit  them  for  long  abitinence  :  betides 

die  four  ftomachs,  which  all  animals  have,  that  chew  the  cud, 

d  the  camel  is  of  the  number,)  it  h.?s  a  fifth  donvach,  which 

icrves,  as  a  refervoir,  to  hold  a  greater  quantity  of  water  than 

the  animal  has  an  immediate  occafion  for.  It  is  of  a  Sufficient 

capacity  to  contain  a  large  quantity  of  water,  where  the  fluid 

remains  without  corrupting,  or  without  being  adulterated  by 

the  other  aliments  :  when  the  camel  finds  itielf  preiTed  with 

third,  it  has  here  an  eafy  refource  for  quenching  it*,  it  throws 

up  a  quantity  of  this  water  by  a  fimple  contraction  of  the  muf- 

cles,  into  the   other  domachs,  and  this  ferves  to  macerate  its 

dry  and  fimple  food  ;  in  this  manner,  as  it  drinks  but  feklom, 

it  takes  in  a   large  quantity  at  a   time ;  and  travellers,  when 

draitened   for   water,    have   been  often  known  to    kill   their 

camels  for  that  which  they  expected  to  find  within  them.' 

In  Turkey,  Perfia,  Arabia,  Barbary,  r.nd  Egypt,  their  whole 
commerce  is  carried  on  by  means  of  camels,  and  no  carriage  is 
more  fpeedy,  and  none  lefs  expenfive  in  thefe  countries.  Mer- 
chants and  travellers  unite  themfelves  into  a  body,  furnifhed 
with  camels,  ro  fecurc  themfelves  from  the  infults  of  the  rob- 
bers that  infeft  the  countries  in  which  they  live.  This  ailem- 
blage  is  called  a  caravan,  in  which  the  numbers  are  fomctimes 
known  to  amount  to  above  ten  thoufand,  and  the  number  of 
camels  is  often  greater  than  thofe  of  the  men  ;  each  of  thefe 
animals  is  Ic/aded  according  to  his  ftrength,  and  he  is  fo  fenfi- 


THE  CAMEL  ANLKDROMEDAR Y. 

ble  of  it  himleif,  that  when  his  bun:  greatj  ne  remains 

ilill  upon  his  belly,  the  pofture  in  v, 

to  rife,  till  his  burden  bo  kiLned  or  taken  away.    In  ^er. 

the  large  camels  arc  capable  of  carrying  a  thcufand  weight,  and. 

limes  twelve  hunched  ;  the  dromedary  from  fix  to  fc-\ 
In  theie  trading  journies,  they  travel  but  flowly,  their  ftages  are 
generally  regulated,  and   they  feldom  go   above  thirty,  or^  at 
moll,  above  five  and  thirty  miles  a  day.  Every  c  -, 
they  arrive  at  a  fhgc,  which  is  ufually  fome  fpe  .are, 

where  water  and  (hrubs  arc  in  plenty,  they  are  permitted  to- 
fced  at  liberty  -,  they  are  then  feen  to  eat  as  much  in  an  hour 
as  will  fupply  them  for  twenty-four;  they  feem  to  prefer  the., 
eoarfeit  weeds  to  the  fofteft  pailure:the  thiille,  the  nettle,  the 
cafia,  an,'  .rickly  vegetables,  arc  their  favourite  food  ; 

but  their  drivers  take  care  to  fupply  them  with  a  kind  of  paile 
compofition,  which  ferves  as  a  more  permanent  nouv: 
As  thefe  animals  have  cften  gone  the  fame  trac?t,  they  are  faid 
to  know  their  way  precifely,  and  to  purfue  their  paflage  when, 
their  guides  are  utterly  aftray  •,  when  they  come  within  .; 
miles  of  their  baking-place,  in  the  evening,   they  fagaci 
fcent  it  at  a  diftance,  aiui,  increafmg  their  fpeed,  are  0  = 
to  trot,  with  vivacity,  to  their  it. 

The  patience  of  this  animal  is  moil  extraordinary;  and  I 
probable,  that  its  fufferings  are  great,  for  when  it  is  loaded,   :'. 
lends  forth  moil  lamentable  cries,  but  never  offers  to  rend 
•t  that  oppreiTes  it.   At  the  flighted  fign,  it  bends  its  k' 
and  lies  upon  its  belly,  fuffering  itfelf  to  be  loaded  in  thi- 
fition  ;    by  this  practice  the  burden  is  more  eahly  laid  upon  if, 
than  if  lifted  up  while  ilanding  ;   at  another  fign  it  riles  with. 
its  load,  and  the  driver  getting  upon  its  back,  between  the  two- 
panniers,  which,  like  hampers,, are  placed  upon  each  fide,  he. 
encourages  the  camel  to  proceed  with  his  voice  and  with  n< 
long.   In  this  manner  the  creature  proceeds   contentedly  for- 
ward, with  a  ilo\v  uneafy  walk,  of  about  four  miles  an  hour, 
when    it  comes  to  its  flagc,  lies  down  to  be  unloaded, 
before, 


412  AN  HISTORY^OF 

Mr.  Buffon  fcems  to  confider  the  camel  to  be  the  rnoft  da- 
jnefticated  of  all  other  creatures,  and  to  have  more  marks  of  the 
tyranny  of  man  imprinted  on  its  form.  -He  is  of  opinion,  that 
this  animal  is  not  now  to  be  found  in  a  (late  of  nature,  that 
the  humps  on  its  back,  the  callofities  upon  its  breait,  and  its 
legs,  and  even  the  great  refervoir  for  water,  are  all  marks  of 
long  fervitude  and  domcftic  conftraint.  The  deformities  he  fup- 
pofes  to  be  perpetuated  by  generation,  and  what  at  fail  was  ac- 
cident, at  lad  becomes  nature.  However  this  be,  the  humps 
upon  the  back  grow  large  in  proportion  as  the  animal  is  well 
fed,  and  if  examined,  they  will  be  found  compofed  of  a  fub- 
ftancc  not  unlike  the  udder  of  a  cow. 

The  inhabitants    generally  leave  but  one   male  to  wait  on 
fen  females,  the  reft  they  caftrate ;  and  though  they  thus  be- 
come weaker,  they  are  more  manageable  and  patient.  The  fe- 
male receives  the  male  in  the  fame  pofition  as  when  thefe  ani- 
mals are  loaded j  fhe  goes,  with  young  for  about  a  year,   and, 
like  all  other  great  animals,  produces  but  one  at  a  time.  The 
camel's  milk  is  abundant  and  ncurifhing,  and  mixed  with  wa- 
ter, makes  a  principal  part  of  the  beverage  of  the   Arabians. 
Thefe  animals  begin  to  engender  at  three  years  of  age,  and  they 
ordinarily  live  from  forty   to   fifty  years.  The  genital  part  of 
the  male  refembles  that  of  the  bull,   but  is  placed    pointing 
backwards,  fo  that  its  urine  feems  to  be  ejected  in  the  manner  of 
the  female.   This,  as  well  as  the  dung,  and  alrnoft  every  part 
of  this  animal,  is  converted  to  fome  ufeful  purpofe  by  the  keep- 
ers. Of  the  urine,  fal-ammoniac  is  made;  and  of  the  dung,  litter 
for  the  horfes,  and  fire  for  the  purpofe  of  drc fling  their  vi&u- 
mls.    Thus,  this  animal  alone  fecms  to  comprize  within  itfelf,, 
7i  variety  of  qualities,  any  one  of  which  ferves  to  render  other 
quadrupeds  abfolutely  necefTary  for  the  welfare  of  man  ;   like 
the  elephant,  it  is  manageable  and  tame;  like  the  horfe,  it  gives 
the  rider  fecurity ;  it  carries  greater  burdens  than  the  ox,  or 
the  mule,  and   it's  milk  is  furniihed  in  as  great  abundance  as 
that  of  the  cow  ;  the  flefh  of  the  young  ones  is  fuppofed  to  be 
as  delicate  as  veal ;  their  hair  is  more  beautiful,  and  more  in 
yequeft  than  wool ;  while,  even  of  its  very  excrements*  no  part 
is  ufelefs* 


THE  LAMA.  413 


CHAP.        XXII. 

S  sV    •  : iped 3  of  America  are  fmall 

the  refembling  ones  of  the  ancient  continent,  io  the  lama, 
considered  as  the  camel  of  the  new  world,  is  eve- 
:?y  lefd  man  that  of  the  old.    This  animal,    like  that  de- 
,  d  in  the  former  chapter,  (lands  high  upon  its  legs,  has  a 
long  neck,  a  fmall  head,  and  refembles  the  camel,  not  only  in 
its  natural  mildnefs,  but  its  aptitude  for  fervitude,  its  modera- 
tion, and  its  patience.  The  Americans  early  found  out  its  ufe- 
ful  qualities,  and  availed  themfelves  of  its  labours  :  like  the  ca- 
mel,  it  ferv.s  to  carry  goods  over  places  inacceiTible  to  other 
beafts  of  burden  ;  like  that  it  is  obedient  to  it>>  driver,  and  of- 
ten dies  under,  but  never  rcfifts  his  cruelty. 

Of  thefe  animals,  fome  are  white,  others  black,  but  they  are 
moftly  brown  ;  its  face  refembles  that  of  the  camel,  and  its 
height  is  about  equal  to  that  of  an  afs.  They  are  not  found  in 
the  ancient  continent,  but  entirely  belong  to  the  new ;  nor  are 
they  found  fpread  over  all  America,  but  are  found  chiefly  up- 
on thofe  mountains,  that  flrctch  from  new  Spain  to  the  {traits 
of  Magellan.  They  inhabit  the  higheft  regions  of  the  globe, 
and  feem  to  require  purer  air  than  animals  of  a  lower  f 
ticn  are  found  to  enjoy.  Peru  feems  to  be  the  place  where  thcy 
are  found  in  greateft  plenty.  In  Mexico,  they  are  introduced 
rather  as  curiofitie?  than  beafts  of  burden  ;  but  in  Pctoii. 
other  provinces  of  Peru,  they  make  the  chief  riches  of  the  Indi- 
ans and  Spaniards  who  rear  them  :  their  flefh  is  excellent  food  j 
their  hair,  or  rather  wool,  may  be  fpun  into  beautiful  clothing, 
and  they  are  capable,  in  the  mod  rugged  and  dangerous  \v 
of  carrying  burdens  not  exceeding  a  hundred  weight,  with  the 
greateft  fafety.  It  is  true,  indeed,  that  they  go  but  flowly,  znd 
feldom  above  fifteen  miles  a  day;  their  tread  is  heavy,  but  fure  £ 
they  defcend  precipices,  and  find  footing  among  the  moft  crag- 


z:  i  AN  HISTORY  OF 

nrks,  where  even  men  can  fcarce  accompany  tlic>:-« ; 
nre,  however,  but  feeble  animals,  and  after  four  or  five  d;r 

•  r,  they  ar<-   obliged  to  rcpoie  tor  a  day  er  two.  The,.; 
.fly  ufed  in  carryii:  !;es  of  the  mines  of  Poloilj 

rre  are  told  thut  there  vc  three  hundred   thoufan- 

animals  in  aclual  employ. 

This  animal,  as  was  faid  before,  is  above  three  feet  high,  ant! 
the  neck  is  three  feet  long,  the  head  is  fmall  and  well  pro 
noned,the  eyes  large,  the  nole  long,  the  lips  thick,  the  upper 
divided,  and  the  lower  a  little  depending  ;  like  all  thofe  ani- 
mals that  feed  upon  grafs,  it  wants  the  upper  cutting  teeth  ; 
the  ears  are  four  inches  long,,  and  move  with  great  agiiity  ; 
the  tail  is  but  five  inches  long,  i  ''!,  ftraight,  and  a 

little  turned  up  at  the  end  ;  it  is  cltr  e  ox,  but 

it  has  a  kind  of  fpear-like  appei.  1,  v  ts  it  in 

moving  over  precipices  and  ruggeu  b  back 

is  fhort,  but  long  on  the  fides  and  . 

camel  in  the  formation  of  the  genii;  ,  io  that 

it  makes  urine  backwards  ;  it  couple  •  -ner, 

and  though  it  finds  much  difficulty  in  ti  id  to 

be  much  inclined  to  venery.  A  whole  d.jy  is  orr.cn  palled,  be- 
this  neccflary  bufmefs  can  be  completed,  which  is  fpent  in 
growling,  quarrelling,  and  fpitti'ng  at  each  other  ;  they  fel— 
doni  produce  above  one  at  a  time,  and  their  age  never  extends1* 
«  ten  or  twelve  years  at  fartheih. 

Though  the  lama  is  no  way  comparable  to  the  camel,  either 

tze,  flrength  or  pcrfeverance,  yet  the  Americans  find  a  fub- 

l  it,  with  which  they  feera  perfectly  contented.  It  ap- 

i  formed  for  that  indolent  race  of  mailers,  which  it  is  oblig- 

ferve  ;  it  requires    no  care  or   expenfe    in  the  attending 

oviding  for  its  fuflrnance  ;  it  is  fupplied  with  a  warm  co- 

;::,  and  therefore  does  not  require  to  be  houfed  ;  fatisfied 

•  vegetables  and  grafs,  it  wants  neither  corn  nor  hay  to  fub- 
;  it  is  not  lefs  moderate  in  what  it  drinks,  and  exceeds 
the  camel  in  temperance  =  Indeed,  of  all  other  creatures,, 

tp  require  water  Icaft,  as  it  is  fupplied  by  nature  with, 
idiva,  in  fuch  lu-gc  quaniitics,  that  it  fpits  it  out  on  every  oc~ 


THE  I  AM  A.  415 

cai":  ';s  to  be  the  or 

'.  veil  en  by  •  '  its  keep- 

its  belly,  and   pours  <     -  it  him    a 

of  this  iluid  ;  which,. though  probably  no  way  lu; 
dian  ,  :h  afraid  of.  They  fay  .-ritlalk. 

:nou^  nature,  that  it  v.  i  nurn  the  iUii, 

ercus  eruptions. 

"j  animals   in  their  dor.  te  -,  but  ai 

ild  in  very  great  numbers,    they  exhibit  mar. 
...id  agility   in  tlieir  flute  of  nature.    Th. 

.  r  the  goat,  cr  the  ihamoy  a  better  ci; 
All  its  (1.  e  d<  -icate  and   firong  ;  its  colour  is 

•:y,  and  its  woo!  is  but  fiior: ;    in  their  native  for, 
are  gregarious  ai  en  i:i  flocks  of  two  or 

three  hundrc .  "  a  itrar 

vd  him  at  firfl  with  aft* 

:hey  fnuiTup 

•;ui  r.t  once,  by  a  common  fli 
;  tops  of  the  mountains ;  they  are   fonder  of 
::orthern  than  the  foulhcrii  fide  of  the  Andes  ;    they  often 
climb  above  the  fnowy  tracts  of  the  mountain,  and  feem  vigo- 
rous in  proportion  to  the  coldnefs  of  their  (kuation.    The  na- 
-  hunt  the  v.-ild  hma  u^r  the  1'ike  of  its  fleece.     If  the  d 
plain,  they  are  generally  fuccefsful  ; 
:is  the  rocky  precipice  of  tlie  mountain, 
the  hunters  a;-  1  to  deiiit  in  their  purfuit. 

n§  to  be  the  largeft  of  the  camei  kind  in  Ame- 
-•  others,  which  are  called  guanacoes  and  pacos, 
that  are  fmaller  and  weaker,  but  endued  with  the  fame  nature, 
and  formed  pretty  much  in  the  lame  manner.     They  feem  to 
bear  the  fame  proportions  to  each  others,  that  the  liorfe  does  to 
is,  and  are  employed  with  the  fame  degree  of  fubordina- 
tion.  The  wool,  however,  of  the  paco,  feems  to  be  the  moil  va- 
luably and  it  is  formed  into  fluffs,   not  inferior  fo  nlk,  either 
hi  price  or  beauty.  The  natural  colour  of  the  paco,  is  that  of 


416  AN  HISTORY    OF 

dried  rofe  leaf;   the  manufacturers  feldom  give   its  wool  any 
other  dye,  but  form  it  into  quilts  and  carpets,   which  exceed 
e  from  the  Levant.  This  man ufa&ure  forms  a  very  conii- 
blc  branch  of  commerce  in  South- America,  and.probabiy 
UK>,  might  be  extended  to  Europe,    were  the  beauty,    and 
durability  of  what  is  thus  wrought  up,  fuincienth 


CHAP.        XXIII. 

The  Nyl-gkau. 

I^HIS  animal,  the  name  of  which  I?  pronounced  nylgaw,  i§ 
a  native  of  India,  and  has  but  lately  been  imported  into 
Europe  ;  it  feems  to  be  of  a  middle  nature,  between  the  cow 
and  the  deer,  and  Carries  the  appearance  of  both  in  its  form. 
In  fize,  it  is  as  rrjpch  fmaller  than  the  one,  as  it  is  larger  than 
the  other  ;  its  body,  horns,  and  tail,  are  not  unlike  thofc  of  a 
bull ;  and  the  head,  neck,  and  legs,  are  very  like  thofe  of  a  dcrer. 
The  colour,  in  general,  is  afh  or  grey,  from  a  mixture  of  black 
hairs  and  white  ;  all  along  the  ridge  or  edge  of  the  neck,  the 
hair  is  blacker,  larger,  arid  more  erecl,  miking  a  ihort,  thin, 
and  upright  mane.  Its  horns  are  feven  inches  long,  they  are  fix 
inches  round  at  the  root,  growing  fmaller  by  degrees,  they  ter- 
minate in  a  blunt  point.  The  bluntnefs  of  thefe,  together  with 
the  form  of  its  head  and  neck,  might  incline  us  to  fuppofe  it 
was  of  the  deer  kind  ;  but,  as  it  never  fheds  its  horns,  it  has  a 
greater  affinity  to  the  cow. 

From  the  difpofition  of  that  brought  over  to  this  country, 
which  has  been  very  accurately  and  minutely  defcribed  by  dr. 
Hunter,  their  manners  were  harmlefs  and  gentle.  Although  in 
its  native  wildnefs,  it  is  faid  to  be  fierce  and  vicious,  this  feem- 
ed  pleafed  with  every  kind  of  familiarity,  and  always  liked 
the  hand  that  ilroked,  or  gave  it  bread,  and  never  once  attemp- 
ted to  ufe  its  horns  offenfively  ;  it  feemed  to  have  much  de- 
pendence on  its  organs  of  fmell,  and  fnuffed  keenlyj  and  with 


THE  NYL-GHAU.  417 

noife,  whenever  any  perfon  came  within  fight  •,  it  did  fo  likc- 
wife,  when  any  food  or  drink  was  brought  to   it ;  and  v  : 
eafily  offended  with  fmclls,  or  fo  cautious,   that  it  would  noc 
tafte  the  bread  which  was  offered,  when  the  hand  happened  to 
fmell  ftrong  of  turpentine.   Its  manner  of  fighting  is  very  par- 
ticular. It  was  obferved,  at  lord  Clive's,  where  two  males  \verr 
put  into  a  little  incLofure,  that,  while  they  were  at  a  coni. 
able  clifcance  from  each  other,  they  prepared  for  the  attao 
falling  upon  their  fore-knees,  then  they  fhufHed  towards  - 
other,  with  a  quick  pace,  keeping  itill  upon  their  fore-kr: 
and  when  they  were  come  within  forne  yards,  they   made  a 
fpringand  darted  againfl  each  other.  The  intrepidity  and  i- 
with  which  they  dart  aguinft   any  object,   appeared  bv 
ilrength  with  which  one  of  them  attempted  to  overturn  a  poor 
labourer,  who  unthinkingly  ftood  on  the  outfide  of  the  pales  of 
its  mcloiure.  The  Nyl-ghau,  with  the  quickncfs  of  lightning, 
darted  againft  the  wood-work  with  fuch  violence,  that  lie  broke 
it  to  pieces,   and  broke  off  one  of  his  horr^tlofe  to  the  root, 
which  occafioned  the  animal's  death.    At  all  trie  places  in  India 
where  we  have  fettlements,  they  are  confidered  as  rarities, 
brought  from  the  diftant  interior  parts  of  the  country.  The  em- 
peror, fometimes,  kills  them  hrfueh  numbers,  as  to  diltribute 
quarters  of  them  to  all  his  omrahs;  whicli  fh.o\vs  that  thevarc 
internally  wild  and  in  plenty,  and  eiteemecl  good  or  delicious 
food.  The  nyl-ghaus,   \\hichhavcbeen  brought   to  Enpl 
have  been  moft,  if  not  all  of  them,  received  from  Surat  or  Bom- 
bay ;  and  they  feem  to  be  lets  uncommon  in  that  part  of  India, 
than  in    Bengal ;     which  gives  room  for   a  .conjecture, 
they  maybe  indigenous,  perhaps  in  the  province  of  Guz 
one  of  the  moil  weilern  and  the  rnoft  considerable  of  die  : 
doftan  empire,  lying  to  the  northward  of  Surat,  and  ilretc 
•away  to  the  Indian  ocean. 

VOL.  II.  3  G 


AN  HISTORY  OP 


CHAP.        XXIV. 

The  Bear. 

OF  the  bear,   there  are   three  different  kinds,  the  brt>  vtfn 
bear  of  the   Alps,   the  black  bear  of  North-America, 
which  is  fmallcr,  and  the  great   Greenland,   or  white  bear, 
Thefe,tho*  different  in  their  form,  are   no  doubt  of  the  fame 
original,  and  owe  their  chief  variations   to  food  and  climate. 
They  have  all  the  fame  habitudes,  being  equally  carnivorous, 
treacherous  and  cruel.    It  has  been  faid,  indeed,  that  the  black' 
bear  of  America  rejects  animal  food,  but  of  the  contrary  I  am 
certain,  as  I  have  often  feen  the  young  ones,  which  are  brought 
over  to  London,  prefer  ficfh  to  every  kind  of  vegetable  aliment. 

The  brown  bear  is  properly  an  inhabitant  of  the  temperate 
climates  ;  the  black  finds  fubfiitence  in  the  northern  regions  of 
Europe  and  America,  while  the  great  white  bear  takes  refuge 
in  the  mod  icy  climates,  and  lives  where  fcarce  any  other  ani- 
mal can  find  fubfiftence. 

The  brown  bear*  is  not  only  fa?age  but  folitary  ;  he  takes 
refuge  in  the  mod  unfrequented  parts,  and  the  moft  dangerous 
precipices  of  uninhabited  mountains.  It  choofes  its  den  in  the 
mod  gloomy  parts  of  the  foreft,  in  feme  cavern  that  has  been 
hollowed  by  time,  or  in  the  hollow  of  fome  old  enormous  tree* 
There  it  retires  alone,  and  pafies  fome  months  of  the  winter* 
without  provisions,  or  without  ever  itirring  abroad.  However 
this  animal  is  not  entirely  deprived  of  fenfation,  like  the  bat,  or 
the  dormoufe,  but  feems  rather  to  fubfift  upon  the  exuberance 
of  its  former  flefli,  and  only  feels  the  calls  of  appetite,  \vhen 
the  fat  it  had  acquired  in  fummcr,  begins  to  be  entirely  wafted 
away.  In  this  manner,  when  the  bear  retires  to  its  den,  to  hide 
for  the  winter,  it  is  extremely  fat,  but  at  the  end  of  forty  or 
fifty  days,  when  it  comes  forth  to  feek  for  frefii  nouriihment, 
it  fecms  to  have  ilept  all  its  rlefh  away.  It  is  a  common  report, 

*  Buffo«. 


THETAPir  ^ 

i  afterwards  with  fuch  petty  prcv  r.r.  fne 

'lie  young  rabbits  in  their  warren,  robs  mroJw 
.    finds  out  where  the  wild  bees  have  laid  up  their  honey, 
.'!  to  her  cxpefted  brood, 

when  taken,  are  eafily  tamed,  but  the  - 
^ill  continues  favsge  and  incorrigible-,  the  former,  after  a  i: 
-ir.r.e,  play  with  the  dogs,  follow  their  mailer  about  the  houfe, 
but  teem,  of  all  other  animals,  the  mcfl  fond  of  the  fire.  They  of- 
ten approach  it  fo  clofely,  that  they  burn  themfelves  in  a  dan- 
gerous manner.  They  are  fometimes  alfo  fubjecfc  to  the  mange, 
cmci  have  ?.  gland  under  their  tail,   which  feeing  pretty  lirong- 
ly.  The  poor  of  fome  countries  cat  their  item;    which,    tho" 
fat,  is  at  bed,  but  rank  and  ill  tailed. 


CHAP*      XXVI. 
the 


F  |  "MTERE  fecmstobe  a  rude,  but  inferior,  refembl.nnco 

JL     twe-.:n  many  animals  of  the  old  and  the  new  world.  Thd 
congar  of  America  re  fembfes  the  tigerin  natural  ferocity,  thr- 
inferior  in  its  dimenfions.  The  lama  bears  fome  affinity  to 
camel,  but  is  far  behind  it  in  ftrength  and   utility.    The 

be  confidered  as  the  hippopotamos  of  the  new  continent, 

".^graded  both  as  to  its  lize  and  feroc 

- 
Tliis  animal  bears  fome  diftant  refemblance  in  its  form  to  a 

mule.  It  has  a  long  fnout,  which  it  lengthens  or  contracts  at 
pleafure.  Tts  ears  are  fmall,  long,  and  pendant.  Its  neck  anj 
tail  arc  fliort,  and  its  claws  ftrong  and  firm,  of  which  it  has 
four  upon  each  foot.  Its  fkin  is  thick,  and  covered  with  brown 
hair,  and  the  natives  makes  fhields  of  it,  which  c. 
pierced  by  an  arrow. 

This  animal  may,  In  fome  meafure,  be  termed  amphibious, 
as  it  chiefly  refides  in  the  water.  It  differs,  however,  from  all 
others  of  this  ki»d?  in  feeding  entirely  upon  vegetables, 


aT-4  AN  HISTORY  OF 

:ing  this  clement  the  place  of  its  depredations-.  Ic  feeds  up* 
the  paituresby  the  river  fide,  and  as  it  is  very  timorous,  the 
mftant  it  he-rs  the. lead  noifc,  it  plunges  into  the  ftream.  They 
preatiy  Ibught  after  by  the  natives,  as  their  flefh  is  confi- 
;d  as  a  delicacy,  and  thought  by  fome  not  inferior  to  beef. 


C      H      A      P.       XXVII. 
The  Racoon. 

THE  racoon,  which  fome  authors  have  called  the  Jamaica 
rat,  is  about  the  fize  of  a  fmall  badger  ;  its  body  is  ihort 
and  bulky ;  its  fur  is  fine,  long  and  thick,  blackiih  at  the  fur- 
face,  and  grey  towards  fhe  bottom  •,  the  nofe  is  rathef  Shorter, 
and  more  pointed  than  that  of  a  fox  ;  the  eyes  large  and  yel- 
low, the  teeth  rcfcmbling  mofe  of  a  dog,  the  tail  thick,  but  ta- 
pering towards  a  point,  regularly  marked  with  rings  of  black, 
and  at  lead  as  long  as  the  body  ;  the  fore-feet  are  much  fhort- 
er  than  the  hinder,  both  armed  with  five  (harp  claws,  with 
which,  and  his  teeth,  the  animal  makes  a  vigorous  refinance. 
.Like  the  fquirrel,  it  makes  ufe  of  its  paws  to  hold  its  food  while 
eating,  but  it  differs  from  the  monkey-kind,  which  ufe 
but  one  hand  on  thofe  occafions,  whereas  the  racoon  and  the 
fquirrel  uje  both  ;  as  wanting  the  thumb,  their  paws  fingly  are 
unfit  for  grafping  or  holding ;  though  this  animal  be  fhort  and 
bulky,  it  is,  however,  very  active  ;  its  pointed  claws  enable  it  to 
climb  trees  with  facility ;  it  runs  on  the  trunk  with  the  fame 
fwiftnefs  that  it. moves  upon  the  plain,  and  fports  among  the 
mod  extreme  branches  with  great  agility,  fecurity  and  eafe  ;  it 
moves  forward  chiefly  by  bounding,  and  though  it  proceeds  in 
an  oblique  direction,  it  has  fpeed  enough  mod  frequently  to 
cfcnpe  its  purfuers. 

This  animal  is  a  native  of  the  fouthern  parts  of  America, 
nor  have  anv  travellers  mentioned  its  being  found  in  the  anci- 
ent continent.  But  in  the  climates  of  which  it  is  a  native,  it 


XXXVH1  . 


Vol.  II. 


THE  CO  ATIMONDI.        %       425 

is  found  in  noxious  abundance,  particularly  in  Jamaica  ;  where 
it  keens  in  the  mountains,  and  where  it  often  dcfcends  to  feed 
upon  the  plantations  of  fugar-cane.  The  planters  of  thefe  cli- 
mates confider  thefe  animals  as  one  of  their  greateft  miferies  ; 
they  have  contrived  various  methods  of  deftroying  them,  yet 
llill  they  propagate  in  fuch  numbers,  that  neither  traps  nor  fire- 
arms can  fct  them  free;  fo  that  a  fwarm  of  thefe  famifhed 
creatures  are  found  to  do  more  injury  in  a  finglc  night,  than 
the  labours  of  a  month  can  repair. 

But  though  when  wild,  they  are  thus  troublcfome,  in  a  ftate 
of  tamenefs  no  animal  is  more  harmlefs  or  amufing  ;  they  are 
capable  of  being  inftrucled  in  various  little  amufing  trick-.  The 
racoon  is  playful  and  cleanly,  and  is  very  eafily  fupported  ;  it 
eats  of  every  thing  that  is  given  it,  and  if  left  to  itfelf,  no  cat 
can  be  a  better  provider  ;  it  examines  every  corner,  eats  of  all 
fiefh,  either  boiled  or  raw,  eggs,  fruits  or  corn,  infects  them- 
felves  cannot  efcape  it,  and  if  left  at  liberty  in  a  garden,  it  will 
feed  upon  fnails,  worms  and  beetles  ;  but  it  has  a  particular 
fondnefs  for  fweets  of  every  kind,  and  to  be  poffeft  of  thefe  in 
its  wild  ftate,  it  incurs  every  danger.  Though  it  will  eat  its  pro- 
vifions  dry,  it  will  for  choice  dip  them  in  water  if  it  happens 
to  be  in  the  way  ;  it  has  one  peculiarity  which  few  other  ani- 
mals have  been  found  to  poffefs,  it  drinks  as  well  by  lapping,' 
like  the  dog,  as  by  fucking  like  the  horfe. 


CHAP.        XXVIII. 

TJ.-e  Coatitnondi. 


THE  firft  peculiarity  with  which  this  animal  ftrikes  the 
fpe&ator,  is  the  extreme  length  of  its  fnout,  which,"in 
fome  meafure,  referable;;  that  of  the  hog,  but  elongated  to  a 
furprizing  degree ;  it  bears  fome  diftant  refemblance  to  the 
animal  laft  defcribed,  except  that  the  neck  and  the  body  are  lon- 
ger, the  fur  fhorter,  and  the  eyes  fmaller  ;  but  its  principal  d!f.. 
VOL.  II.  3  H 


426        ^  AN  HISTORY  OF 

tinftion,  as  was  faid  before,  confifts  in  the  fnape  of  its  r.ofe,  tne 
upper  jaw  being  an  inch  longer  than  the  lower,  and  the  fnout, 
which  is  moveable  in  every  divifion,  turning  up  at  the  end. 
Like  the  racoon,  ,it  fits  up  on  its  hinder  legs  with  great  eafe, 
and  in  this  pofition,  with  both  paws,  carries  the  food  to  its 
mouth. 

This  animal  is  very  fubject  to  eat  its  own  tail,  which  is  rather 
longer  than  its  body,  but  this  ftrange  appetite  is  notpeculiar  to  the 
coati  alone  ;  the  mococo,  and  fome  of  the  monkey  kinds*  do  the 
fame,  and  feem  to  feel  no  pain  in  wounding  a  part  of  the  bo- 
dy, fo  remote  from  the  centre  of  circulation. 

It  Teems  poffcft  of  the  fame  playful  qualities,  and  indifcri- 
minate  appetites,  with  the  animal  defcribed  in  the  laft  chapter^ 
if  left  at  liberty  in  a  (late  of  tamenefs,  it  willpurfue  the  poul- 
try, and  deftroy  every  living  thing  that  it  has  ftrength  to  con- 
quer ;.  though  it  is  playful  with  its  keeper,  yet  it  feems  obfti- 
nately  bent  againft  receiving  any  inllru6lion,  and  neither 
threats  nor  carefles  can  induce  it  to  pradTife  any  arts  to  which 
it  is  not  naturally  inclined.  When  it  fleeps,  it  rolls  itfelf  up  in 
a  lump,  and  in  that  pofition  often  continues  for  fourteen  or 
fifteen  hours  together. 


C      H       A      P.        XXIX. 

Of  tie  Ant-Bear. 

V  1' ''HERE are  many  nnimals  that  liveuf>on  ants  in  Africa  ami 
JL  America  -,  the  pango&n,  or  fcaly  Hzard  of  Guinea,  may  be 
confidered  among  this  number  ;  but  there  are  a  greater  vari- 
ety in  America,  whi'ch  makes  thofe  minute  infects  their  only 
fubfiftence.  Though  they  are  of  different'  figures  and  fizes,  yet, 
in  general,  they  go  under  one  common  name  of  the  ant-bear  ;• 
the  peculiar  length  and  flendernefs  of  their  fnout,  their  fingu- 
lar  appetites,  and  their  manner  of  taking  their  prey,  ftriking.us 


THE  ANT-BEAR. 

too  ftrongly  to  attend  to  the  minute  differences  of  their  -fizecr 
form. 

They  have  been  clafiicd  by  mr.  BufFon  into  the  larger  taman- 
dua, the  imaller  tamandua,  and  the  ant-eater.  The  longeft  of 
this  kind  is  four  feet  long,  from  the  tip  of  the  fnout  to  the  in- 
fertion  of  die  tail ;  their  legs  are  ihort,  and  armed  with  four 
itrong  claws  ;  their  tail  is  long  and  tufted,  and  the  animal  often 
throws  it  on  its  back  like  the  fquirrel.  The  fecond  of  this  kind 
is  not  above  eighteen  inches  long,  the  tail  is  without  hair,  and 
it  fweeps  the  ground  as  the  animal  moves.  The  ant-eater,  which 
is  the  third  variety,  is  ftill  fmallcr  than  either  of  the  former,  as 
it  is  not  above  feven  inches  from  the  tip  of  the  fnout  to  the  in- 
fertion  of  the  tail.  The  t\vo  former  are  of  a  brown  duflcy  co- 
lour, but  this  of  a  beautiful  reddifh,  mixed  with  yellow  ;  tlio' 
they  differ  in  figure,  they  all  refemble  each  ether  in  one  pecu- 
liarity, which  is  the  extreme  flendernefs  of  their  fnout,  and 
the  amazing  length  of  their  tongue. 

The  fnout  is  produced  in  fo  difproportionate  a  manner,  that 
the  length  of  it  makes  near  a  fourth  part  of  the  whole  figure. 
A  horfe  has  one  of  the  longed  heads  of  any  animal  \ve  know, 
and  yet  the  ant-bear  has  one  above  twice  as  long,  in  propor* 
tion  to  its  body.  The  fnout  of  this  animal  is  almoft  round 
and  cylindrical ;  it  is  extremely  flender,  and  is  fcarce  thicker 
near  the  eyes  than  at  its  extremity,  The  mouth  is  very  fmall, 
the  noftrils  are  very  clofe  to  each  other,  the  eyes  are  little, 
in  proportion  to  the  length  of  the  nofe,  the  neck  is  ihort,  the 
tongue  is  extremely  long,  flender,  and  flatted  on  both  fides  ; 
this  it  keeps  generally  doubled  up  in  the  mouth,  and  is  the 
only  inftrument  by  which  it  finds  fubfiftence  ;  for  the  whole 
of  this  tribe  are  entirely  without  teeth,  and  find  fafety  only 
in  the  remotenefs  and  fecurity  of  their  retreat. 

If  we  examine  through  the  various  regions  of  the  earth, 
we  (hall  find  that  all  the  mod  active,  fprightly,  and  ufeful 
quadrupeds  have  been  gathered  round  man,  and  either  ferved 
his  pleafurcs,  or  ftill  maintaind  their  independence  by  their 
vigilance,  their  cunning,  or  their  induftry.  It  is  in  the  remote 


AN   HISTORY   OF 

fbiitudes  that  we  are  to  look  for  ths  helplefs,  the  deformed^ 
and  the  monltrous  births  of  nature.  Thefe  wretched  animals 
being  incapable  of  defending  themfelves,  either  by  their  agi- 
lity, or  their  natural  arms,  fall  a  prey  to  every  creature  that: 
attacks  them  5  they  therefore  retire  for  fafety  into  the  darkeft 
forerts,  or  the  mod  defert  mountains,  where  none  of  the^ bolder 
or  fwifter  animals  choofe  to  re  fide. 

It  may  well  be  fuppofed  that  an  animal  fo  helplefs  as  the 
'ant-bear  is,  with  legs  too  fliort  to  fit  it  for  flight,  and  unpro- 
vided with  teeth  to  give  it  a  power  of  refinance,  is  neither 
numerous,  nor  often  feen  ;  its  retreats  are  in  the  mod  barren 
and  uncultivated  parts  of  South-America.  It  is  a  native  only 
of  the  new  continent,  and  entirely  unknown  to  the  old.  It 
lives  chiefly  in  the  woods,  and  hides  itfelf  under  the  fallen 
leaves.  It  feldom  ventures  from  its  retreat,  and  the  induitry 
of  an  hour  fupplies  it  with  fullicient  food  for  feveral  days  to- 
gether. Its  manner  of  procuring  its  prey,  is  one  of  the  moil 
fmgular  in  all  natural  hiflory  j  as  its  name  implies,  it  lives  en- 
tirely upon  ants  and  infects  ;  thefe,  in  the  countries  where  it 
is  bred,  are  found  in  the  greateft  abundance,  and  often  build 
themfelves  hills,  five  or  fix  feet  high,  where  they  live  in  com- 
munity. When  this  animal  approaches  an  ant-hill,  it  creeps 
ilowly  forward  on  its  belly,  taking  every  precaution  to  keep 
icfelf  concealed,  till  it  comes  within  a  proper  diftance  of  the 
place  where  it  intends  to  make  its  banquet ;  there  lying  clofe- 
ly  along  at  its  length,  it  thruils  forth  its  round  red  tongue, 
which  is  often  two  feet  long,  acrofs  the  path  of  thefe  bufy 
infects,  and  there  lets  it  lie  motionlefs  for  feveral  minutes  to- 
gether. The  ants  of  that  country,  fome  of  which  are  half  an 
inch  long,  confidering  it  as  a  piece  of  flefh  accidentally  thrown 
before  them,  come  forth  and  fwarm  upon  it  in  great  numbers, 
but  v.-herever  they  touch,  they  (lick  ;  for  this  inilrument  is  co- 
vercd  with  a  lliray  fluid,  which,  like  bird-lime,  entangles  eve- 
ry creature  that  lights  upon  it.  When,  therefore,  the  ant-bear 
has  found  a  fufficient  number  for  one  morfel,  it  inftantly  draws 
in  the  tongue,  and  devours  them  all  in  a  moment ;  after  which 
it  ftiil  continues  in  its  pofition,  pradtifmg  the  fame  arts  un- 


THE   SLOTH. 

ill  its  hunger  is  entirely  appeafed  ;  it  then  retires  to  its  hiding 
place  once  more,  where  it  continues  in  indolent  exigence, 
again  excited  by  the  calls  of  hunger. 

Such  is  the  luxurious  life  of  a  creature,  that  '  all 

others  the  molt  helplefs  and  deformed.  It  finds  fafety  i: 
hiding-places  from  its  enemies,  and  an  ample  fupply  in  forr." 
neighbouring  ant-hill,  for  all  its  appetites.  As  it  only  tries  t«j 
avoid  its  purfuers,  it  is  feldom  difcovcred  by  them  •,  yet  help- 
lefs as  this  animal  is,  when  driven  to  an  extremity,  though 
without  teeth,  it  will  fight  with  its  claws,  with  great  obfti- 
nacy.  With  thefe  arms  alone,  it  has  often  been  found  to  op- 
pofe  the  dog,  and  even  the  jaguar.  It  throws  itfelf  upon  its 
back,  fattens  upon  its  enemy  with  all  its  claws,  flicks  with 
great  ftrength  and  perfeverance,  and  even  after  killing  its  in- 
yader,  which  is  fometimes  the  cafe,  does  not  quit  its  hold, 
but  remains  fattened  upon  him  with  vindictive  defperation. 


CHAP. 

Of  the   SlotL 


OF  the  fioth  there  are  two  different  kinds,  diftinguiihed 
from  each  other  by  their  claws  ;  die  one,  which,  i;; 
native  country,  is  called  the  unan,  having  only  two  claws  upon 
«ach  foot,  and  being  without  a  tail ;  the  other,  which  is  called 
the  ai,  having  a  tail  and  three  claws  upon  each  foot.  The  unai' 
has  the  fnout  longer,  the  ears  more  apparent,  and  the  fur  ve- 
ry different  from  the  other.  It  differs  alfo  in  the  number  o; 
its  ribs,  this  having  forty-fix,  while  the  ai  has  but  twt 
eight.  Thefe  differences,  however,  which  though  very  appa- 
rent, have  been  but  little  regarded  in  the  iefaription  of  two 
animals  which  fo  ftrongly  refemble  each  other  in  the  general 
out-lines  of  their  figure,  in  their  appetites,  and  their  help- 
Icfs  formation. 


430  AN   HISTORY    OF 

They  are  both,  therefore,  defcribed.  under  the  common  ap- 
pellation of  the  floth,  and  their  habitudes  well  deferve  our 
wonder  and  curiofity.  Nature  feems  crampt  and  con  {trained 
in  their  formation  ;  other  animals  are  often  indolent  from 
choice,  thefe  are  flow  from  neceffity  ;  the  ai,  from  which  I 
{hall  take  my  defcription,  and  from  which  the  other  differs 
only  in  the  flight  particulars  above-mentioned,  and  in  being 
rather  more  active,  is  of  about  the  fize  of  a  badger.  Its  fur 
is  coarfe  and  flaring,  fomewhat  refembling  dried  grafs  ;  the 
tail  very  fhort,  and  fcarce  appearing  ;  the  mouth  extending 
from  ear  to  car  ;  the  eye  dull  and  heavy ;  the  feet  armed 
Vith  three  claws  each,  and  made  fo  fhort,  and  fet  on  fo  auk^ 
wardly,  that  a  few  paces  is  often  the  journey  of  a  week  ;  but 
though  the  feet  are  fhort,  they  are  dill  longer  than  its  legs, 
arid  thefe  proceed  from  the  body  in  fuch  an  oblique  direction, 
that  the  fole  of  the  foot  feldom  touches  the  ground.  When 
the  animal,  therefore,  is  compelled  to  make  a  ftep  forward,  it 
fcrapes  on  the  back  of  the  nails  along  the  furface,  and  wheel- 
ing the  limbs  circularly  about,  yet  ftill  touching  the  ground, 
it  at  length  places  its  foot  in  a  progreffive  pofition  ;  the  other 
three  limbs  are  all  brought  about  with  the  fame  difficulty  ; 
and  thus  it  is  feen  to  move  not  above  three  feet  in  an  hour. 
In  fact,  this  poor  creature  feldom  changes  place  but  by  con- 
ftraint,  and  when  impelled  by  the  fevereft  flings  of  hunger. 

The  floth  feems  to  be  the  meaneft  and  moft  ill-formed  of 
all  thofe  animals  that  chew  the  cud  ;  it  lives  entirely  upon  ve- 
getable food,  on  the  leaves,  the  fruit,  and  the  flowers  of  trees, 
and  often  even  on  the  very  bark,  when  nothing  elfe  is  left  on 
the  tree  for  its  fubfiflence.  Like  all  other  ruminant  animals, 
it  has  four  ftomachs  -,  and  thefe  requiring  a  large  fhare  of  pro- 
vifion  to  fupply  them,  it  generally  drips  a  tree  of  all  its  ver- 
,iurc  in  lefsthan  a  fortnight.  Still,  however,  it  keeps  aloft,  un- 
v.-i!!b£  to  dcfcend,  while  nny  thing  remains  that  can  ferve  it 
,oGd-,  it  therefore  falls  to  devouring  the  bark,  and  thus, 
in  a  fhort  time,  kills  the  tree  unon  which  it  found  its  fupport. 
Thus  dcditute  of  provifions  above,  and  crawling  flowly  from 
brunch  to  branch,  in  hopes  of  finding  fomething  ftill  left,  it 


THE   SLOTH<  431 

»>  at  iaft  obliged  to  encounter  all  the  dangers  that  attend  it  be- 
low. Though  it  is  formed  by  nature  for  climbing  a  tree  with 
jrrcat  pain  and  difficulty,  yet  it  is  utterly  unable  to  defcend  ; 
it  therefore  is  obliged  to  drop  from  the  branches  to  the  ground, 
and  as  it  is  incapable  of  exerting  itfelf  to  break  the  violence 
of  its  defcent,  it  drops  like  a  fhapelefs  heavy  mafs,  and  feels 
no  fmall  (hock  in  the  fall.  There,  after  remaining  fome 
time  torpid,  it  prepares  for  a  journey  to  fome  neighbouring 
tree  ;  but  this  of  all  migrations  is  the  moft  tedious,  dangerous, 
and  painful  •,  it  often  takes  a  week  in  crawling  to  a  tree  not 
fifty  yards  diftant,  it  moves  with  imperceptible  flownefs,  and 
:i  baits  by  the  way.  All  motions  feem  to  torture  it,  every 
ftep  it  takes  it  fets  forth  a  moil  plaintive,  melancholy  cry, 
which,  from  fome  diftant  fimilitude  to  the  human  voice,  ex^ 
cites  a  kind  of  difguft,  mixed  with  pity.  This  plaintive  found 
feems  its  chief  defence,  few  quadrupeds  appear  willing  to  IB- 
terrupt  its  progrefs,  either  that  the  flefli  is  offenfive,  or  that  they 
are  terrified  at  its  cries.  When  at  length  they  reash  their  def-* 
lined  tree,  they  mount  it  with  much  greater  eafe  than  when 
they  moved  upon  the  plain.  They  fall  to  with  famimed  appe* 
tite,  and,  as  before,  deflroy  the  very  fource  that  fupplies  them. 

How  far  thefe  may  be  confidered  as  the  unfinifhed  produc- 
tions of  nature,  I  will  not  take  upon  me  to  determine  •,  if  we 
meafure  their  happinefs  by  our  fenfations,  nothing,  it  is  cer- 
tain, can  be  more  miferable  ;  but  it  is  probable,  confidered 
with  regard  to  themfelves,  thty  may  have  fome  itores  of  com- 
fort unknown  to  us,  which  may  fet  them  upon  a  level  with 
fome  other  inferior  ranks  of  the  creation  ;  if  a  part  of  their 
life  be  expofed  to  pain  and  labour,  it  is  compen-fated  by  a 
larger  portion  of  plenty,  indolence,  and  fafety.  In  fac"t,  they 
are  formed  very  differently  from  all  other  quadrupeds,  and 
it  is  probable,  they  have  different  enjoyments.  Like  birds, 
they  have  but  one  common  vent  for  the  purpofes  of  propagation, 
excrement  and  urine.  Like  the  tortoife,  which  they  refemble 
in  the  ilownefs  of  their  motion,  they  continue  to  live  fome 
time  after  their  nobler  parts  are  wounded',  or  even  taken  away. 


43*  AN   HISTORY   OF 

They  bear  the   marks    of  all  thofe  homely-formed  animal?, 
fhar,  like  rude  machines,  are  not  eafiiy  difcompofed. 

Its  note,  *  according  to  Xircher,  is  an  afcending  and  de- 
fcending  hexachord,  which  it  utters  only  by  night  j  its  look 
is  fo  piteous,  as  to  move  companion  •,  it  is  alfo  accompanied 
with  tears,  that  difluade  every  body  from  injuring  fo  wretched 
a  being.  Its  abftirience  from  food  is  remarkably  powerful ; 
one  that  had  faftened  itfelf  by  its  feet  to  a  pole,  and  was  fo 
fufpended  acrofs  two  beams,  remained  forty  days  without  meat, 
drink,  or  fleep  ;  the  flrength  of  its  feet  is  fo  great,  that  what- 
foever  it  feizes  on,  Cannot  pofiibly  be  freed  from  its  claws.  A 
dog  was  let  loofe  at  the  above-mentioned  animal,  taken  frorrr 
the  pole ;  after  fome  time  the  floth  laid  hold  of  the  dog  with 
its  feet,  and  held  him  four  days,  till  he  perimed  with  hunger. 


CHAP.        XXXI. 

The  Gerbua. 

animal  as  little  refembles  a  quadruped,  as  thaff 
JL  which  has  been  defcribed  in  a  former  chapter.  If  we 
fiiould  fuppofe  a  bird,  diverted  of  its  feathers,  and  walking 
upon  its  legs,  it  might  give  us  fome  idea  of  its  figure.  It  has 
four  feet  indeed,  but  in  running  or  refting,  it  never  makes  ufe 
of  any  but  the  hinder.  The  number  of  legs,  however,  do  not 
much  contribute  to  any  animal's  fpeed  j  and  the  gerbua, 
though  properly  fpeaking,  ftirnimed  but  with  two,  is  one  of 
the  fwifteft  creatures  in  the  world. 

The  gerbua  is  not  above  the  fize  of  a  large  rat,  and  its  head 
is  floped  fomewhrvt  in  the  manner  of  a  rabbit,  the  teeth  alfo 
are  formed  like  thofe  of  the  rat  kind,  there  bei'ng  two  cut- 
sing  teeth  in  each  jaw  ;  it  has  a  very  long  tail,  tufted  at  thf 

*  Pennant's  Synopfis. 


THE   GERBUA.  433 

end  ;  the  head,  the  back,  and  fides,  are  covered  with  large 
•aih-coloured  foft  hair ;  the  breatl  and  belly  are  whitiih,  but 
what  moft  deferves  our  attention  in  the  formation  of  this  lit- 
tle animal,  is  the  legs  ;  the  fore-legs  are  not  an  inch  long, 
with  four  claws  and  a  thumb  upon  each,  while  the  hind-legs 
are  two  inches  and  a  quarter,  and  exaclly  refemble  thofe  of 
a  bird,  there  being  but  three  toes,  the  middiemoil  of  which 
is  longeft. 

The  gerbua  is  found  in  Egypt,  Bafbary,  Paleftine,  and  the 
deferts   between   BmTerah  and  Aleppo  ;  its  hind-legs,  as  was 
laid  before,  are   only  ufed  in  running,  while  the  fore-paws, 
like  thofe  of  a  fquirrel,  grafp  its  food,  and,  in  fome  meafure, 
perform  the   office  of  hands.  It  is  often  feen  by  travellers  as 
they  pafs  along  the  deferts,  eroding  their  way,  and  jumping 
fix  or  eight  feet  at  every  bound,   and  going  fo  fwiftly,  that 
fcarce  any  other   quadruped  is  able  to  overtake  them.    They 
are  a   lively,  harmlefs  race  of  animals,   living  entirely  upon 
vegetables,   and   burrowing  like  rabbits  in   the  ground.     Mr. 
Pennant  tells  us  of  two  that  were  lately  brought  to  London, 
that  burrowed   almoft  through  the  brick   wall  of  the  room 
where  they  were  kept  ;  they  came  out  of  their  hole  at  night 
for  food,  and  when  caught,  were  much  fatter  and  flecker  than 
when  confined  to  their  burrows.   A  variety  of  this  animal  is 
found  alfo  in  Siberia  and  Circafiia,  and  is  moil  probably  com- 
mon  enough  over  all  AGa.     They  are  more  expert  diggers 
than  even  the  rabbit  itfelf  ;  and  when  purfued  for  a  long 
time,  if  they  cannot  efcape  by  their  fwiftnefs,   they  try  to 
make  a  hole  inftantiy  in  the  ground,   in  which  they  often  bu- 
ry themfelves  deep  enough  to  find  fecurity  before  their  pur- 
fuers  come  up.    Their  burrows,  in  fome  places,  are  fo  thick, 
as  to  be  dangerous  to  travellers,  the  horfes  perpetually  falling 
in  them.  It  is  a  provident   little  animal,  and  lays  up  for  the 
winter.  It  cuts  grafs  in  heaps  of  a  foot  fquare,  which,  when 
dried,  it  carries  into  its  burrow,  therewith  to  ferve  it  for  food, 
or  to  keep  its  young  warm,  during  the  rigours  of  the  winter. 
But  of  all  animals  of  this  kind,  that  which  was  firfl  dif- 
VOL.  II,  3  I 


434  AN   HISTORY    OF 

covered  and  defcribed  by  mr.  Banks,  is  the  moft  extraordi- 
nary. Pic  calls  it  the  kangaroo  ;  and  though,  from  its  general 
outline,  and  the  moft  linking  peculiarities  of  its  figure,  it 
greatly  refembles  the  gerbua,  yet  it  entirely  differs,  if  \ve  con- 
fider  its  fize,  or  thole  minute  diftin&ions  which  direct  the 
makers  of  fyftems  in  afforting  the  general  ranks  of  nature. 

The  largeft  of  the  gerbua  kind,  which  are  to  be  found  in 
the  ancient  continent,  do  not  exceed  the  fize  of  a  rabbit.  The 
kanguroo  of  New-Holland,  where  it  is  only  to  be  found,  is 
often  known  to  weigh  above  fixty  pounds,  and  mufl  confe- 
quently  be  as  large  as  a  meep.  Although  the  fkin  of  that 
which  was  fluffed,  and  brought  home  by  mr.  Banks,  was  not 
much  above  the  fize  of  a  hare,  yet  it  was  greatly  fuperior  to 
any  of  the  gerbua  kind  that  have  been  hitherto  known,  and 
very  different  in  many  particulars.  The  fnout  of  the  gerbua, 
as  has  been  kid,  is  ihort  and  round,  that  of  the  new-difco- 
vwred  animal,  long  and  ilcnder  ;  the  teeth  alfo  entirely  differ  ; 
for,  as  the  gerbua  has  but  two  cutting  teeth  in  each  jaw,  mak- 
ing four  in  all,  this  animal,  befides  its  cutting  teeth,  has  four 
canine  teeth  alfo  ;  but  what  makes  a  more  finking  peculiarity, 
is  the  formation  of  its  lower  jaw,  which,  as  the  ingenious  dif- 
coverer  fuppofes,  is  divided  into  two  parts,  which  open  and 
{hut  like  a  pair  of  fciffars,  and  cut  grafs,  probably  this  animal's 
principal  food.  The  head,  neck,  and  (Lrulders  are  very  fmall  in 
proportion  to  the  other  parts  of  the  body,  the  tail  is  nearly 
as  long  as  the  body,  thick  ntar  the  rump,  and  tapering  to- 
wards the  end  ;  the  fkin  is  covered  with  a  ihort  fur,  excepting 
the  head  and  the  ears,  which  bear  a  flight  refemblance  to 
thofe  of  the  hare.  We  are  not  told,  however,  from  the  for- 
mation of  its  flomach,  to  what  clafs  of  quadrupeds  it  belongs  -y 
from  its  eating  grafs,  which  it  has  been  feen  to  do,  one  would 
be  apt  to  rank  it  among  the  ruminant  animals,  but  from  the 
canine  teeth  which  it  is  found  to  have,  we  may,  on  the  other 
hand,  fuppofe  it  to  bear  fome  relation  to  the  carnivorous.  Up- 
on the  whole,  however,  it  can  be  claffed  with  none  more  pro- 
perly, than  with  animals  of  the  gerbua  kind,  as  its  hind  legs 
are  fo  much  longer  than  the  fore  j  it  moves  alfo  precifely  i» 


THE   GERBITA.  43* 

the  fame  manner,  taking  great  bounds  of  ten  or  twelve  feet 
at  a  time,  and  thus  fometimes  efcaping  even  the  fieeteft  grey- 
hound, with  which  mr.  Banks  purfued  it.  One  of  them  that 
was  killed,  proved  to  be  good  food  5  but  a  fecond,  which 
weighed  eighty-four  pounds,  and  was  not  yet  come  to  its  full 
growth,  was  found  to  be  much  inferior. 

With  this  lad  defcribed  and  laft  difcovered  animal,  I  (hall 
conclude  the  hiitory  of  quadrupeds,  which,  of  all  parts  of  natu- 
ral knowledge,  feems  to  have  been  defcribed  the  moil  accurate- 
ly. As  thefc,  from  their  figure,  as  well  as  their  fagacity,  bear 
the  neareft  refemblance  to  man,  and  from  their  ufes,  or  en- 
mities, are  the  moft  refpedtable  parts  of  the  inferior  creation, 
fo  it  was  his  mtereft,  and.  his  pleafure,  to  make  himfelf  ac- 
quainted with  their  hiftory.  It  is  probable,  therefore,  that  time, 
which  enlarges  the  fphere  of  our  knowledge  in  other  parts 
of  learning,  can  add  but  very  little  to  this.  The  addition  of  a 
new  quadruped  to  the  catalogue  already  known,  is  of  no  fmall 
confequence,  and  happens  but  fcldom  ;  for  the  number  of 
all  is  fo  few,  that  wherever  a  new  one  is  found,  it  becomes 
an  object  worthy  our  bed  attention.  It  may  take  refuge  in 
its  native  deferts  from  our  purfuits,  but  not  from  our  cu~ 
riofity. 

But  it  is  very  different  with  the  inferior  ranks  of  the  crea- 
tion ;  the  claffes  of  birds,  of  fifhes,  and  of  infects,  are  all  much 
more  numerous,  and  more  incompletely  known.  The  quadru- 
ped is  poflefied  of  no  arts  of  efcaping,  which  we  are  not 
able  to  overcome  •,  but  the  bird  removes  itfelf  by  its  fwift- 
nefs,  the  fifties  find  protection  in  their  native  element,  and 
infects  are  fecured  in  their  minutenefs,  numbers,  and  variety. 
Of  all  thefe,  therefore,  we  have  but  a  very  inadequate  cata- 
logue, and  though  the  lift  be  already  very  large,  yet  every 
hour  is  adding  to  its  extent. 

In  fact,,  all  knowledge  is  pleafant  only  as  the  object  of  it 
contributes  to  render  man  happy,  and  the  fervices  of  quadru- 
peds being  fo  very  neceflary  to  him  in  every  fituation,  he  is 
particularly  interefted  in  their  hiftory  ;  without  their  aid, 


43<*  AN   HISTORY    OF 

what  a  wretched  and  forlorn  creature  would  lie  have  been  \ 
the  principal  part  of  his  food,  his  clothing,  and  his  amufe- 
ments,  are  derived  wholly  from  them,  and  he  may  be  confider- 
ed  as  a  great  lord,  fometimes  cheriming  his  humble  depen- 
dents, and  fometimes  terrifying  the  refractory,  to  contribute 
to  his  delight  and  conveniences. 

The  horfe  and  the  afs,  the  elephant,  the  camel,  the  lama, 
and  the  rein-deer,  contribute  to  eafe  his  fatigues,  and  to  give 
him  that  fv/iftnefs  which  he  wants  from  nature.  By  their 
afliflance,  he  changes  place  without  labour  ;  he  attains  health 
without  wearinefs  ;  his  pride  is  enlarged  by  the  elegance  of 
equipage,  and  other  animals  are  purfued  with  a  certainty  of 
fuccefs.  It  were  happy,  indeed,  for  man,  if,  while  converting 
thefe  quadrupeds  to  his  own  benefit,  he  had  not  turned  them 
to  the  deftruction  of  his  fellow-creatures  ;  he  has  employed 
fome  of  them  for  the  purpofes  of  war,  and  they  have  con- 
formed to  his  noxious  ambition  with  but  too  fatal  an  obe- 
dience. 

The  cow,  the  fhcep,  the  deer,  and  all  their  varieties,  are 
nccefiary  to  him,  though  in  a  different  manner.  Their  flcfh 
makes  the  principal  luxuries  of  his  table,  and  their  wool  or 
Ikins  the  chief  ornament  of  his  perfon.  Even  thofe  nations 
that  are  forbid  to  touch  any  thing  that  has  life,  cannot  whol- 
ly difpenfe  with  their  aflillance.  The  milk  of  thefe  animals 
makes  a  principal  part  of  the  food  of  every  country,  and  of- 
ten repairs  thofe  conftitutions  that  have  been  broken  by  dif- 
cafe  or  intemperance. 

The  dog,  the  cat,  and  the  ferret,  may  be  confidered  as  hay- 
ing deferted-from  their  fellow-quadrupeds,  to  lift  themfelves 
under  the  conduct  and  protection  of  man.  At  his  command 
they  exert  all  their  fervices  againfl  fuch  animals  as  they  are 
capable  of  deflroying,  and  follow  them  into  places  where  he 
himfelf  wants  abilities  to  purfue. 

As  there  is  thus  a  numerous  tribe,  that  he  has  taken  into 
protection,  and  that  fuppljes  his  neceflities  and  amufements, 


THE    GERBUA.  437 

fo  there  is  alfo  a  flill  more  numerous  one,  that  wages  ar. 
equal  combat  againft  him,  and  thus  call  forth  his  courage 
and  his  induftry.  Were  it  not  for  the  lion,  die  tiger,  the  pan- 
ther, the  rhinoceros,  and  the  bear,  he  would  fcarce  know  his 
o\vn  powers,  and  the  fuperiority  of  human  art  over  brutal 
fiercenefs.  Thefe  ferve  to  excite,  and  put  his  nobler  paflions 
into  motion.  He  attacks  them  in  their  retreat,  faces  them, 
with  refolution,  and  feldom  fails  of  coming  ofr  with  a  vic- 
tory. He  thus  becomes  hardier  and  better  in  the  flruggie,  and 
learns  to  know,  and  to  value  his  own  fuperiority. 

As  the  laft  mentioned  animals  are  called  forth  by  his  bold- 
eft  efforts,  fo  the  numerous  tribe  of  the  fmaller  vermin  kind 
excite  his-  continual  vigilance  and  caution ;  his  various  arts 
and  powers  have  been  no  where  more  manifeil,  than  in  the 
extirpation  of  thoie  that  multiply  with  iuch  prodigious  fecun- 
dity. Neither  their  agility  nor  their  minutenefs  can  fecure 
them  from  his  purfuits  ;  and  though  they  may  infeft,  they  are 
feldom  found  materially  to  injure  him. 

In  this  manner,  we  fee,  that  not  only  human  want  is  fup- 
plied,  but  that  human  wit  is  fharpened,  by  the  humbler  part- 
ners of  man  in  the  creation.  By  this  we  fee,  that  not  only 
their  benefits,  but  their  depredations  are  ufeful,  and  that  it 
has  wifely  pleafed  Providence  to  place  us  like  victors  in  a 
fubdued  country,  where  we  have  all  the  benefit  of  conqueft, 
without  being  fo  fecure,  as  to  run  into  the  floth  and  exc\ 
of  a  certain  and  undifturbed  poftellion.  It  appears,  therefore, 
that  thofe  writers  who  are  continually  finding  immediate  be- 
nefit in  every  production,  fee  but  half  way  into  the  general 
fyilem  of  nature.  Experience  mud  every  hour  inform  us, 
that  all  animals  are  not  formed  for  our  ufe  5  but  we  may  be 
equally  well  affured,  that  thofe  conveniencies  which  we  want 
from  their  friendlhip,  are  well  repaid  by  that  vigilance  which 
we  procure  from  their  enmity. 

END    OF    THE    SECOND    VOL 


PRINTED  £T  R.   PQLWELL,   FOR  M. 


CONTENTS. 


CHAP.  PAGE. 

*•      \~r  F  Ruminating  Animals           —  3 

II.  Of  Quadrupeds  of  the  Cow-kind  —          7 
The  Buffalo  17 

III.  Of  Animals  of  the  Sheep  and  Goat-Kind  22 
The  Sheep               —  —               24 
The  Goat  and  its  numerous  Varieties  — -                   3^- 
The  Gazelles  43 

IV.  Of  the  Mitjk  Animal  $2 

V.  Animals  of  the  Deer  Kind              —  —                   5^ 
The  Fallow  Deer  73 
The  Roe-Buck  77 
The  Elk                                                   —  82 
The  Rein-Deer  87 

VI.  Of  ghiadrupeds  of  the  Hog  Kind  I  oo 
The  Peccary,  or  Tajacu               —  107 
The  Capibara,  or  Cabiai              —  —                 III 
The  BabyroueJ/hy  or  Indian  Hog  —        1 1 2 

VII.  Animals  of  the  Cat  Kind  1 1 5 
The  Lion  124 
The  Tiger  135 
The  Panther,  and  the  Leopard  145 

VIII.  Animals  of  the  Dog  Kind  156 
The  Wolf  177 
The  Fox                  —               —              —  187 
The  Jackall  —           193 
Jfatis                         —                    —  —        .196 
The  Hy ana                                —  —                198 

IX.  Of  Animals  of  the  Weafel  Kind  200 
The  Ermine,  or  Steat  204 


CONTENTS,  43* 

CHAP.  PAGE. 

The  Ferret                                              —  208 
The  Polecat                   ~-                             —               —     21 0 

The  Martin                                                                 —  213 

Tfa  Sable                        —                              —  2l6 

The  Ichneumon               —               —                  —  2l8 

The  Stinkards                            —                   —  22O 

The  Genet          — *  224 

The  Civet                             —                               - —  225 

The  Glutton                  - —  229 

X.  Of  Animals  of  the  Hare  Kind                       —  234 
The  R<                          —                   —                —  242 
The  Squirrel  247 
The  Flying  Squirrel                    —                        — •  253 
The  Marmout                    — —                    — —  25 £ 
The  Agouti               —                    —                    —  261 
The  Paca                        — -                      —  264 
The  Guinea-Pig                                           —  26$ 

XI.  Of  Animals  of  the  Rat  Kind                       —  270 
The  Mo  life                                                 —  27  £ 
The  Dormeufe                      —                        —  277 
The  Mu/k  Rat                                                  —  278 
The  Cricetui                                                   - —  280 
The  Lenr.ng                              —                        _— ,  282 
The  Mole                                                —  2  8  6 

XII.  Of  Animals  of  the  Hedge-Hog>  or  PricUy  Kind  291 
The  Tanrec  and  Tendrac                        — r  2o^ 
Porcupine                            —  29^ 

XIII.  Of  Quadrupeds  covered  with  Scales  er  Shells^ 

injlead  of  Hair               —  qo't 

The  Armadillo  or  Tatou              -*-~                   —  30^ 

XIV.  Of  Animals  of  the  Bat  Kind  3  I  £ 

XV.  Of  Amphibious  Quadrupeds                             *—  3 1 8 
The  Pn'iiver                   —                    — •  324 
The  Seal                                 —                         —  330 
TheMcrfe                            —                   ~-  33$ 
The  Manati              —                                     — 


44*  CONTENTS, 

CHAP.  PAGEI 

XVI.   Of  Animals  of  tic  Monkey  Kind  34* 

The  Baboon  —                         353 

T/v  Monkey  """"• 

'Ofthetfaki  —                          371 

O/*  //><'  Pppoffitm,  and  its  Kinds  374 

XV  1  1  .    Of  tie  Elephant  379 

XVIIL   Of  the  Rhinoceros  398 

XIX.  27*  Hippopotamos 

XX.  T7^  Camtlopard  4°5 

XXI.  T7^  C^w^/  W  /Af  Dromedary  4°7 

xxii. 


xxin.          - 


.xxiv.  r^  2?^r 

XXV.  The  Badger 

XXVI.  TkeTapicr 

XXVII.  77^  £*««?*  — 
XXVIII-   27?f  Coatimondi 

*XXIX.    Of  ihe  Ant-Bear  4*6 

XXX.  Of  the  Sloth  —  429 

XXXI.  The  Gerbu* 


